Opisyal nang mahigpit na ipinag-utos ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang implementasyon ng “Anti-Epal” policy sa buong bansa.
Ayon sa opisyal na pahayag na inilabas ng DILG sa kanilang Facebook page nitong Sabado, Enero 31, inutos nila sa lahat ng kanilang mga opisina at lokal na pamahalaan ang mabilisang pagtatanggal ng mga pangalan, imahe o larawan, at iba pang may kaugnayan sa mga opisyal na nakasalampak sa mga proyekto, programa, aktibidades, at pagmamay-ari ng gobyerno.
“The Department of the Interior and Local Government has ordered the strict nationwide enforcement of the Anti-Epal policy, directing all local government units and DILG offices to immediately remove the names, images, and likenesses of public officials from all government funded projects, programs, activities, and properties,” pagsisimula nila.
Dagdag pa nila, “Under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006, all provincial, city, municipal, and barangay officials, including DILG central, regional, and field offices and attached agencies, are required to ensure that no public official’s name, photo, logo, initials, color motif, slogan, or any identifying symbol appears on project signages, markers, tarpaulins, and similar materials funded by public money.”
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Anila, idiniin daw ni DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla na taumbayan ang nagbayad sa mga proyekto ng gobyerno at hindi dapat gamitin para sa personal promotion ng mga opisyal.
“Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla stressed that government projects are paid for by the people and must never be used for personal promotion,” saad nila.
Diin pa nila, “Government programs are not personal billboards. These are funded by taxpayers and must reflect public service, not political credit grabbing.”
Anang DILG, pinagtibay raw ng 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) ang pag-implementa ng “Anti-Epal” policy upang malabanan ang mga maling gawain ng mga opisyal sa mga proyektong pinondohan ng pamahalaan.
“The Circular cites the 1987 Constitution’s principle that public office is a public trust, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Commission on Audit rules that classify such personalized displays as unnecessary expenses. It is further reinforced by the 2026 General Appropriations Act which explicitly prohibits attaching officials’ names and images to government funded projects,” ‘ika nila.
Pagpapatuloy pa nila, dapat daw mabilis na sumunod ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno sa pag-utos nilang ito at ang mga pinuno ng kanilang bawat tanggapin ang responsable sa pag-uutos sa pagsunod sa nasabing polisiya.
“All concerned officials and employees are directed to cause the immediate removal and correction of non-compliant materials. Heads of offices are accountable for full and prompt compliance, as well as for cascading the directive to all units under their supervision,” paglilinaw nila.
Pag-uulit pa nila, parte raw iyon ng panawagan ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., sa hangarin nitong ligtas ang mga proyekto ng gobyerno sa “self-promotion,” at “personality branding” ng ilang mga opisyal.
Hinikayat din nila ang publiko na agarang ilapit sa awtoridad ang makikita nilang lalabag sa nasabing polisiya.
Anila, “The DILG also reiterated the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to keep government projects free from political self-promotion and personality branding, and encouraged citizens to report violations of the Anti-Epal policy.”
“Public funds are for public service. Not for personal publicity.,” pagtatapos pa ng DILG.
MAKI-BALITA: ‘Bawal ang epal!’ DILG, nanawagang ireport mga politikong isasalpak mukha sa proyekto
MAKI-BALITA: Bawal na bida-bida! Mga politikong 'di papaawat sa 'anti-epal' ng DILG, pwedeng masuspinde
Mc Vincent Mirabuna/Balita
