President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is stepping up efforts to enhance transparency and accountability across all levels of government, with a strong focus on empowering local government units (LGUs) to lead reforms through open and participatory governance, Malacañang said Thursday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the initiative is being implemented through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2025-065.

“President Marcos wants faster, more efficient, and more meaningful public service delivery for all Filipinos,” Castro said. 

Castor explained that the memorandum aims to strengthen the influence of open governance values at the LGU level, encouraging them to become role models in pushing reforms that benefit their communities.

She also emphasized that LGUs play a crucial role in mobilizing public participation in government programs and ensuring effective implementation of reforms on the ground.

MC 2025-065 supports Executive Order No. 31, signed by President Marcos in 2023, which established the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PH-OGP) as the national platform for advancing open government principles. 

It also aligns with Proclamation No. 916, s. 2025, which designates the third week of May as Open Government Week.

As of April 2024, five LGUs in the Philippines are active members of the OGP Local Program namely South Cotabato, Tagbilaran City, Larena (Siquijor), Quezon City, and Baguio City.