Undersecretaries Bayani Agabin and Alu Dorotan-Tiuseco; Bureau of Local Government Finance Executive Director Consolacion Agcaoili; BLGF Central and Regional Officials; local treasurers and assistant local treasurers from Visayas and Mindanao; my fellow workers in the government: Magandang hapon po sa ating lahat.

Let me be the first to congratulate our newly appointed local treasurers and welcome all of you as you step into this very important role.

Yours is a role bigger than yourselves and larger than our ambitions. For in accepting this task, you have chosen country over comfort, duty over desire, and bayan bago sarili. And for that, I say: maraming maraming salamat po.

We gather at a time when the clamor for transparency, integrity, and good governance has never been louder. The President has made it clear: under his watch, it will not be business as usual.

Dahil walang Bagong Pilipinas, kung walang tunay na pagbabago. At ang pagbabagong ito ay hindi lamang pangako ng pamahalaan. Ito ay pangarap na sabay-sabay nating tinutupad.

Now, we are seeing a tidal wave of accountability sweeping across the nation. The old walls of corruption are finally beginning to crumble. The people have spoken: enough is enough.

Every hard-earned taxpayer’s money is under scrutiny––as it should be. And we need allies on the ground to keep a vigilant watch on the Filipino people’s money.

As our first line of defense of fiscal governance at the local level, we are counting on you not only to guard and manage our resources well. But to ensure the faithful execution of our local budgets.

Ang buwis na ating kinokolekta ay katumbas ng pawis ng isang magsasaka, kita ng isang manggagawa, at pangarap ng isang ama o ina para sa kanyang pamilya. Kaya’t ingatan po natin ito. Bantayan po natin ito ng mabuti.

Let’s all strive for efficiency, lead with transparency, and uphold the highest ethical standards. Para sa kapwa Pilipino, para sa Bagong Pilipinas.

So, again, on behalf of a grateful nation: Maraming salamat po sa inyong taus-pusong serbisyo at paglilingkod sa bayan.

Makaaasa po kayo na kami sa DOF ay nandito, handang tumulong, gumabay, at sumuporta sa inyong lahat.

Mabuhay po kayong lahat. Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas!