President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is intensifying efforts to boost transparency and accountability across all levels of government, with a particular focus on empowering local government units (LGUs) to spearhead reforms through open and participatory governance.

In a statement Thursday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro disclosed that this initiative is being implemented via 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.

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

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

Memorandum Circular 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, series of 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 — South Cotabato, Tagbilaran City, Larena (Siquijor), Quezon City and Baguio City.