Manila: Senator Loren Legarda on Monday expressed support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s continued investment in flood control, infrastructure, and water service projects, but stressed that the quality of implementation and public accountability must match the scale of the programs. 'We must view the state of the nation not only in what programs exist but in the quality of their implementation, and in the discipline with which both government and citizens carry them out,' she said, reacting to the President's 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA).

According to Philippines News Agency, Legarda emphasized that efforts must go hand in hand with strict compliance to existing laws, such as Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. 'Flood mitigation and water service initiatives are important, but they must be matched by the proper implementation of laws. Equally important is confronting corruption and wasteful spending in infrastructure projects,' she said.

Legarda also lauded Marcos' call to uphold integrity and high standards in public spending, noting that 'every peso lost to dishonest practices is a setback to community safety and public trust.' She urged government agencies to shift from 'program launching to full-cycle policy execution' anchored on public interest, effective monitoring, and measurable outcomes.