📷: Batang Norcal | FB
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered all offices and local government units to immediately remove the names, photos, and likenesses of public officials from government-funded projects.
The directive, posted on DILG’s official Facebook page on Saturday, January 31, was issued through a memorandum circular instructing provincial, city, municipal, and barangay officials to ensure that no personal branding, such as names, images, logos, initials, color schemes, slogans, or other identifying symbols, appears on signages, markers, tarpaulins, or similar materials financed by taxpayers.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stressed that government programs are meant to serve the people and “must never be used for personal promotion.”
“Government programs are not personal billboards. These are funded by taxpayers and must reflect public service, not political credit grabbing.”
The circular cites the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, Commission on Audit rules classifying personalized displays as unnecessary expenses, and the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which explicitly prohibits attaching officials’ names or images to government-funded projects.
“All concerned officials and employees are directed to immediately remove or correct non-compliant materials,” the DILG said.
“Heads of offices are accountable for full and prompt compliance, as well as for cascading the directive to all units under their supervision.”
The agency emphasized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to keep government projects free of political self-promotion and urged citizens to report violations of the Anti-Epal policy.
“Public funds are meant for public service. Not for personal publicity,” the DILG said. (ZIA LUNA)
