MANILA, Dec. 3 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday stressed that transparent and accountable governance must take root at all levels of government, noting that strong systems at the barangay (village) level can help rebuild public trust amid recent controversies involving flood-control projects.

Leading the 2025 Galing Pook Awards in Malacanang, Marcos said barangays continue to prove that clear processes and community participation lead to more effective and trustworthy public service, an approach he said is crucial at a time when several national agencies are under scrutiny.

"Kapag malinaw ang proseso, lumalakas ang tiwala. Kapag may pananagutan, tumataas ang respeto. At kapag inuuna natin ang kapakanan ng taumbayan, sum...