Republic of the Philippines

SUPPORT FOR FRONTLINERS: FREE SERVICES REACH 2,000 POLICE, FAMILIES UNDER LAB FOR ALL More than 2,000 police personnel and their families received free health and essential government services through the LAB for ALL (Laboratoryo, Konsulta, at Gamot Para sa Lahat) program led by First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos at Camp Crame on Tuesday, bringing vital support directly to the nation’s frontliners who dedicate their lives to public safety. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla joined the First Lady in the initiative, which aims to bring essential services closer to communities that often face barriers in accessing timely care and government assistance. For many beneficiaries, the program meant immediate access to services that are usually difficult to secure due to cost, time, or availability. It is a direct response to the everyday realities faced by uniformed personnel and their families. Around 20 partners from both the public and private sectors participated, delivering a full range of services including medical consultations, dental care, eye checkups, ECG, urinalysis, HIV testing, chest X-rays, ultrasound services, and distribution of medicines. Legal assistance, skills and business mentorship, free seedlings, and access to frontline government services were also provided, ensuring that support extended beyond healthcare and into livelihood and legal needs. In her message, the First Lady underscored the importance of caring for those who protect the nation: “Today is especially meaningful because this project is not only for the communities we protect, but also for you, the men and women who stand at the frontlines to protect our nation. Today, in our simple way, we are here to take care of you.” Philippine National Police Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. expressed gratitude for the initiative and highlighted its impact on personnel and their families. “Sa programang ito, malinaw na ang serbisyong pangkalusugan ay dapat abot ng lahat. May dignidad, may malasakit, at walang naiiwan.” Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary for e-Government David Almirol Jr., Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, and Public Attorney’s Office Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta also conveyed their full support for the program, reinforcing a whole-of-government approach to delivering essential services. Also present were League of Cities of the Philippines National President Mayor Francis Zamora, PMFTC President Zhenya Ivanov, and other government representatives. The DILG affirms its continued support for initiatives that bring government services closer to the people, especially those who serve on the frontlines, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that public service is felt where it is needed most.

“WALANG MAIIWAN”: DILG mobilizes LGUs for intensified anti-poverty drive In line with the national government’s whole-of-nation approach to poverty reduction, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on all local government units (LGUs) to accelerate the implementation and development of Local Poverty Reduction Action Plans (LPRAPs), positioning local governments at the forefront of delivering targeted, community-based interventions. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier emphasized that reducing poverty remains achievable despite the ongoing energy and oil crisis, stressing that the national government continues to roll out social safety nets to protect vulnerable sectors and help Filipino families cope with rising challenges. The DILG said the LPRAP serves as a critical governance tool that ensures anti-poverty programs are responsive to the actual needs of communities. It provides the policy direction for LGUs in crafting strategic, inclusive, and results-driven interventions tailored to their respective localities. The Department stressed that translating these plans into concrete policies, programs, and budget priorities will enable LGUs to deliver lasting and measurable improvements in the lives of disadvantaged and underserved sectors. To further strengthen local implementation, the DILG and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) signed a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) aimed at aligning grassroots initiatives with the national target of reducing poverty incidence to nine percent by 2028. The DILG also reaffirmed its commitment to fully support LGUs through capacity development initiatives, technical assistance, and policy guidance to ensure the effective formulation and implementation of their respective LPRAPs. To date, 195 LPRAP formulation workshops have been conducted across nine focus provinces: Romblon, Leyte, Northern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Dinagat Islands. Meanwhile, orientation seminars were successfully rolled out across all 82 provinces from 2023 to 2024, further strengthening local capacities in planning, coordination, and implementation. The initiative has likewise gained positive public feedback, with stakeholders recognizing its strong focus on empowering marginalized communities by actively involving them in local development planning and advancing targeted, community-driven anti-poverty strategies. “Poverty reduction cannot be achieved by the national government alone. Strong and responsive local governments remain crucial in ensuring that programs reach the communities that need them most and that no Filipino is left behind,” the DILG said.

1,200 LGUs PUSH JOBS TO COMMUNITIES VIA PESO The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) lauded and commended 1,200 local government units (LGUs) for establishing Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), bringing job opportunities closer to communities nationwide. For many Filipinos, looking for work is not easy. It takes time, money, and often a bit of luck. In many places, opportunities feel far away. PESOs help change that. The DILG said the growing number of PESOs shows how local governments are stepping in to make employment services easier to access. Instead of people going far just to apply or ask, services are now within reach of their own communities. Through PESOs, jobseekers are guided, connected to employers, and given real options. For families, that means a steadier income. For communities, it means more people moving forward. The Department called on remaining LGUs to establish their own PESOs to further strengthen local job facilitation and make job matching faster and more direct. The initiative supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to focus on long-term employment strategies that create real and lasting opportunities. PESOs are non-fee charging, multi-dimensional employment service facilities established by LGUs in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). They provide job matching, labor market information, and access to employment programs, ensuring that services reach even the grassroots level. Latest data show that 799 LGUs, or 46.59 percent, have institutionalized PESOs through local ordinances, including 60 provinces, 116 cities, and 623 municipalities. Another 401 LGUs have established PESOs through executive orders, covering 12 provinces, 13 cities, and 376 municipalities. Across the country, PESOs are already making a difference. In Iloilo City, the PESO has earned Hall of Fame recognition at the National PESO Congress after winning the highly urbanized city category for three consecutive years. It facilitates employment for at least 30,000 individuals annually, with a 94 percent success rate. The Province of Antique was likewise recognized as National Best PESO under the Second-Class Province Category, reflecting consistent and effective employment services. Makati City’s PESO has also been recognized for its IT-based skills registry system, which helps match jobseekers with the right opportunities and address skills gaps. These are not just programs on paper. These are real people finding work, one opportunity at a time.

Every Second Counts: 911 Delivers Help Without Cost One call to 911 saves lives. And it costs nothing. A man collapses. A mother cries out in pain. A family freezes, not knowing what to do next.In those seconds, everything depends on one thing. How fast help arrives. For thousands of Filipinos, that help now begins with a call to 911. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the government’s Unified 911 emergency hotline has become a front line of public service, delivering immediate response to people who would otherwise have no access to it. “Sa oras ng emergency, hindi na dapat iniisip kung may pambayad. Ang mahalaga ay may darating na tulong,” Remulla said. Established under Executive Order No. 56, series of 2018, all calls to 911 are free of charge. No load. No hesitation. Just help. On the ground, that speed is already changing outcomes. In Mabalacat City, a utility worker injured in a tricycle accident did not wait long. A bystander called 911, and help came. In Caloocan City, a security guard showing signs of a possible stroke was brought to the hospital before it was too late. In Koronadal City and Angeles City, patients struggling with severe abdominal pain and breathing difficulties were quickly transported for urgent care after reaching the hotline. Inside homes, where emergencies hit hardest, the response is just as critical. In Quezon City, a pregnant woman experiencing bleeding was rushed to medical care after her partner called 911. In Cebu City, a mother who could no longer walk due to severe swelling was safely assisted after her son reached out for help. In each case, the story is the same. Someone made the call. Help came. And it came in time. “These are real situations where every minute matters. The system is built to make sure that help reaches people when they need it most,” Remulla said. The DILG stressed that the Unified 911 system is meant for every Filipino, especially those who have no other way to access emergency response. At the same time, the Department urged the public to protect the system. Every prank call, every false report, delays response and puts another life at risk. In the end, 911 is more than a number. It is the assurance that when the worst happens, help will come and no Filipino will be left to face it alone.

DILG Pushes Stronger Child Protection in LGUs with Nationwide Safeguarding System Children across the country stand to benefit from stronger protection against abuse, violence, and exploitation as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) launched the Local Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy (LCSPP) Document Guide and e-Learning Course, giving local government units (LGUs) practical tools to build safer communities for every child. Unveiled at the DILG-NAPOLCOM Center in Quezon City in partnership with Council for the Welfare of Children and Stairway Foundation Inc., the initiative supports the administration’s priority to strengthen child protection systems and promote more responsive local governance. Representing the Department, DILG Assistant Secretary for International Relations Lilian De Leon said the time has come to move beyond fragmented responses and establish lasting systems that truly protect children. “What’s been missing is a safeguarding system that is localized, institutionalized, and embedded in the way LGUs actually operate, not a checklist, but a system,” she said. The LCSPP tools provide LGUs with clear guidance on prevention, reporting, referral, case management, and monitoring, helping ensure that child protection measures are not occasional efforts but part of everyday governance. Through the program, LGUs are expected to strengthen frontline responses, improve coordination among local offices, and create safer environments where children can grow, learn, and thrive free from fear and harm. During the launch, government officials, development partners, and child representatives signed a pledge of commitment, highlighting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to safeguarding children at the grassroots level. Among those present were CWC Executive Director, Undersecretary Angelo M. Tapales; Stairway Foundation Inc. Executive Director Lars C. Jorgensen; Carmona City Mayor Dahlia A. Loyola; and SM Cares representative Royston Cabuñag.     The LCSPP reflects a strong partnership among DILG, CWC, and Stairway Foundation Inc., combining policy leadership, technical expertise, and community-based implementation to strengthen safeguarding systems nationwide. With the nationwide rollout of these tools, the DILG reaffirmed its commitment to child-centered, accountable, and responsive local governance, so that every Filipino child is protected, valued, and given the chance to reach their full potential.

Barangays Told: Update Development Plans, Put Anti-Poverty Programs First The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed all barangays nationwide to formulate or update their 2026 Barangay Development Plans (BDPs) and Barangay Development Investment Programs (BDIPs) before the end of the year, with a clear instruction to prioritize programs that directly reduce poverty and improve daily life in communities. The directive supports the call of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sustain poverty-reduction gains despite global economic pressures, including uncertainties arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict. The BDP serves as a three-year multi-sectoral roadmap that identifies a barangay’s priorities, programs, projects, and activities. It is the main planning tool that helps local leaders translate community needs into concrete action. Under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2021-087, barangays are encouraged to integrate sectoral and thematic concerns into their plans, including livelihood generation, food security, social protection, health, education, disaster resilience, peace and order, and other grassroots anti-poverty interventions. The Department also underscored the importance of participatory governance, urging barangay officials to consult residents, civil society groups, and key stakeholders during the planning process. Inclusive planning ensures that programs are grounded on real conditions, responsive to urgent needs, and supported by the people they are meant to serve. Barangays were likewise reminded to align their BDPs with the Comprehensive Development Plans of their respective cities and municipalities, while exploring cooperation with neighboring barangays to maximize resources and widen development impact. DILG records show that 5,540 barangays under the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) have already completed enhanced BDPs, helping strengthen local governance and improve the delivery of basic services, particularly in formerly conflict-affected and underserved communities. The Department stressed that timely compliance is mandatory. Failure to prepare or update required plans may expose concerned officials to administrative liability under Section 60 of the Local Government Code of 1991. To ensure accountability and full compliance, the DILG said progress will be tracked through the Barangay Information System. 

TAKE BACK OUR COMMUNITIES: REMULLA CITES 50% CRIME DROP UNDER SAFER CITIES PROGRAM Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said crime across the country has dropped by 50% under the government’s Safer Cities Initiative, citing stronger enforcement, better coordination, and shared responsibility among communities. Speaking during the inauguration of police facilities and meetings with local officials in Catanduanes, Remulla said the improvement is being seen not only in major cities, but in provinces and towns across the country. “Bumagsak ang krimen by 50 percent sa buong Pilipinas. Hindi lang po sa mga kilalang siyudad, sa malalaking siyudad sa buong Pilipinas,” Remulla said. He said peace and order can be achieved through the proper enforcement of the law and close cooperation between barangays, police, and local governments. “Peace and order is possible by the positive application of the law, the cooperation of the barangay and the police. It is possible to have a more peaceful community without killing anyone,” he said. Remulla said the initiative focuses on prevention, including curfews for minors, regulating disruptive late-night activities, and improving police visibility in public spaces. “We must take back the streets. We must take back our communities. We must promote peace and order. It is everyone’s responsibility,” he said. The DILG chief also praised Catanduanes for recording zero casualties during a recent typhoon, saying it showed what communities can achieve when people work together. “Sa humagupit na bagyo na 300 kilometers, walang namatay dahil nagsama-sama kayo. That is community spirit. That is the power of being together. That is the strength of Catanduanes,” he said. In Virac, Remulla urged local leaders to set politics aside and focus on serving the province. “You may not agree together politically, but you must agree that service to Catanduanes is above all important, is above all your duty, is above all your oath,” he said. He also assured continued national government support for provinces through investments in police facilities, local capability-building, and public safety programs. “All we want is progress. All we want is a better life. All we want is a safer community,” Remulla said.

What’s the Game Plan, 911?: Going Inside the DILG X Unified 911 Communications Plan Dialing 911 only takes a few seconds, but inculcating it in the consciousness of Filipinos takes time and commitment. Hence, when every second can mean the difference between  life and death, making sure that people know and trust this lifeline is just as critical. For a country such as the Philippines, teeming not only with possibilities but also of calamities and everyday emergencies, every Juan and Juana must know they have 911 on their dials to meet the growing demands of public safety. Recognizing that an effective emergency hotline is only as strong as public awareness and confidence in it, the DILG has placed communication at the heart of its strategy by organizing the National 911 Strategic Communication Planning Snapshot. Spearheaded by the Office of the Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communications (OUSPAC), together with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs (OASCEA) and the Public Affairs and Communications Service (PACS), the said initiative is set to pave better possibilities for the emergency hotline. The 911 Perspective Emergency 911 National Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo recognized that the drafting of the communications plan would serve as a blueprint for aligning messaging, outreach, and stakeholder coordination across national and local levels. “It helps people clearly understand how and when to use 911. It provides accurate information to the public, encourages responsible use, and reduces prank or unnecessary calls that can delay real emergencies,” Fajardo said. “With clear and consistent messaging, it builds trust and reinforces 911 as the single, official hotline that anyone can rely on in times of emergency,” he added. Fajardo also sees the importance of the initiative as a vantage point in strengthening internal and external coordination within the 911 Team, and emphasized that the communication plan is instrumental in advancing a more integrated emergency response system. “It allows different agencies to work together smoothly, and ensures timely and appropriate assistance,” Fajardo stated. Building Strategies, Piece-by-Piece Teaming together in the important task of crafting the maiden 911 communications plan, centered on the OASIS Framework and the DILG 2023-2028 Strategic Plan were communications experts from PACS alongside the 911 personnel. PACS-Information and Communication Research Assistant Division Chief, Ma. Evelyn B. Castino-Quilas presented the brief overview and guidelines in drafting the Strategic Communication Planning Process and OASIS Framework. Meanwhile, PACS-Public Relations Division Section Chief, Daryl M. Jaramilla, articulated the core communication strategies, resources, timeline, and evaluation that would guide all 911-related communications. In her message, Assistant Secretary Maria Liavel C. Badillo-Crisostomo urged the participants to make 911 communications simple and more accessible for mass consumption. Badillo-Crisostomo said that while there is cadence in communicating the existence of 911, she noted it should also be audience-centered, ensuring that even the most vulnerable sectors can easily grasp its purpose and how it works. “You have to understand who the vulnerable communities are that 911 has to attend to. Yun ang palagi nating iisipin when you make your messaging and that is to make it as simple as possible,” she stressed. As the Unified 911 continues to progress, the DILG is preparing to roll out communications strategies that reflect a more responsive, coordinated, and people-centered emergency communication system where every message contributes to saving lives. With a strengthened communication arsenal for 911 in the pipeline, emergency response takes on renewed clarity and purpose, aligned with the national government’s vision and anchored on the public’s awareness.  The result:  more people informed, faster action in times of need, and more lives saved.###

DILG Region VI Highlights Key Programs in Kapihan sa PIA Western Visayas Santa Barbara, ILOILO – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region VI,in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region VI, successfully conducted anepisode of Kapihan sa PIA Western Visayas: Promoting Transparency, Accountability, andGood Governance on April 21, 2026, at the DILG Regional Office, with Regional Director JuanJovian E. Ingeniero, CESO III serving as the principal resource speaker. The activity aimed to strategically communicate the Department’s priority programs, mandates,and recent policy issuances to a wider audience. As a regular monthly media forum, Kapihan sa PIA Western Visayas serves as an establishedplatform for government agencies to directly engage with media practitioners and the public,ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely, and relevant information to communities. It also providesan avenue for clarifying issues, addressing concerns, and responding directly to media inquiries. The participation of Regional Director Ingeniero as the Department’s official representativereinforced the credibility and authority of the information shared. Likewise, the presence of PIAmedia partners helped widen the reach of the activity through various communication platforms,further amplifying public awareness of key government initiatives. “Malaki ang tulong ng media sa pag educate sa tao….Sa tamang pag pili ng official. Now is thetime we work together, we advocate good governance and we tell people kung sinong nakikitaniyong barangay na hindi nagtatrabaho ng tama at ipakita sa tao, we will support you. As far aswe are concerned, we will capacitate yung mga willing to change and willing to learn…..Kapagsama-sama tayo dito, walang problema na hindi pwedeng masolusyonan,” said RD Ingeniero. Through this initiative, DILG Region VI adopted a more proactive approach in advancing itsadvocacy efforts, particularly in promoting major policy issuances such as the Anti-EPAL Policy(MC 2026-006), Barangay and SK Inventory and Turnover Guidelines (MC 2026-021), Safer CitiesOrdinance Advocacy (MC 2026-029), and other priority programs and newly issued policies of theDepartment. These initiatives are essential in strengthening ethical governance, encouragingcitizen participation, and ensuring accountability at the local level. Ultimately, the activity underscored DILG Region VI’s steadfast commitment to fostering aninformed and empowered citizenry, strengthening government-media relations, and promotingtransparency and good governance in Western Visayas through a more strategic and purposefulcommunication approach.

DILG to LGUs: Strengthen Ordinances, Reclaim Streets for Families The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units (LGUs) to pass new ordinances and strengthen existing local rules in support of the government’s Safer Cities initiative, a nationwide push to make streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces safer for Filipino families. The campaign carries out the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen peace and order, reduce crime, and ensure that people feel secure not only at home, but also on the roads, in markets, near schools, and in places where daily life happens. The DILG urged provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays to review and reinforce ordinances covering public drinking, roaming shirtless in public areas, excessive noise, videoke operations beyond 10:00 p.m., and curfew measures for minors. For LGUs where these rules already exist, the Department called for consistent enforcement and stronger police visibility, especially in busy streets, transport terminals, commercial districts, and other crowded areas where residents expect order and protection. The Department emphasized that local chief executives are mandated under the law to implement measures that promote the general welfare, maintain peace and order, protect public safety, and preserve public convenience. Recent implementation data from the Safer Cities initiative recorded 68,257 public safety interventions, reflecting active enforcement, guidance, and community correction across participating areas. Many incidents involved public drinking and smoking, roaming shirtless in public places, minors found outside during curfew hours, and unauthorized karaoke operations beyond allowed hours. The initiative is currently being piloted across LGUs in the National Capital Region, with expansion set for major urban centers nationwide. The DILG said safer communities are measured by whether parents feel at ease letting their children walk outside, workers can go home without fear, and neighborhoods can rest peacefully at night.