Republic of the Philippines

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. today urged 42,046 barangays nationwide to encourage their constituents who are unvaccinated, not fully vaccinated, and those with no COVID-19 booster shots to avail of the vaccines in the conduct of Barangay Assembly Days for the second semester of 2022 on any of the Saturdays or Sundays of October. “We call on the Punong Barangays (PBs) and other officials to fulfill their mandate and conduct Barangay Assembly Days. I hope the barangays use this opportunity to talk to their constituents and encourage them to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19,” Abalos said. “Use this as an avenue to inform your constituents of the undertakings and accomplishments of your barangays and discuss issues and concerns and plans for the future,” he added. Abalos said PBs must take advantage of the Barangay Assembly to discuss the advantages of getting boosted and vaccinated against COVID-19 and invite the citizens to partake in government vaccination campaigns such as PinasLakas. He likewise said PBs must inform the public that COVID-19 booster shots are now accessible in their workplace, transportation terminals, and drugstores, among others. “Ngayon ay marami nang opportunity para makapagbapakuna at booster, mahalaga na maipaalam ito sa ating mga kababayan.” As of October 11, 2022, records at the Department of Health show that 20,195,895 Filipinos have been administered with COVID-19 booster shots while 73,342,216 have complete initial vaccination status and 70,756,003 had their first dose. He likewise reminded PBs to hold Barangay Assembly Days as they are mandated by the law to ensure the conduct of such. He said the Barangay Assembly may be conducted through face-to-face, online, or blended modes. According to the Local Government Code and Proclamation No. 599, series of 2018, barangays are required to conduct barangay assembly for each semester of the year on any of the Saturdays or Sundays of March and October to hear and discuss the semestral report of the Sangguniang Barangay concerning its activities, finances and issues. For the second semester of 2022, the Barangay Assembly Day theme is “Barangayanihan: Barangay at Mamamayan Sama-sama sa Pagtaguyod ng Bayanihan Tungo sa Mas Ligtas at Maunlad na Pamayanan,” which is in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.’s call for unity in community-building. In DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) 2022-131, Abalos prompted barangays to provide necessary written notice and disseminate communication materials such as posters or banners to raise awareness and encourage residents to participate in the Barangay Assembly Day. “This assembly is for our people to know the state of the community so it is important to engage your constituents and encourage them to vent out their concerns and problems in order for us in the government to be able to address it,” he said. The DILG Secretary said barangay captains, Sangguniang Barangay Members, Barangay Tanods and other barangay officials shall ensure that the set measures along with Executive Order No. 03, which allows the voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation, are observed. “Para sa ating mga senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals at mga hindi pa fully vaccinated, we highly urge you to continue wearing your face masks and observe physical distancing at all times to ensure the safety of all participants of the activity,” Abalos said. He added that attendees should continue to wear face masks in indoor private or public establishments and in indoor settings where physical distancing cannot be observed. Abalos further said Barangay Captains or the 1st ranking Sangguniang Barangay Member or designated barangay official should deliver the State of Barangay Address (SOBA) including the accomplishments and financial report for the 1st semester of 2022, updates on the 2022 Programs, Projects and Activities (PPAs), newly-enacted barangay ordinances and resolutions, the ongoing projects aimed at COVID-19 prevention and control and status of vaccination. During the assembly, Abalos said the barangay must likewise discuss Executive Order No. 03; Sangguniang Kabataan financial and physical accomplishment report for the 1st semester of 2022; status of Barangay Financial Documents, BDRRMC-related accomplishments; anti-illegal drug initiatives, BADAC accomplishments; women, children, GAD or VAW-related accomplishments; and status of compliance on the National Tree Planting Activity, among others. He also warned barangays that failing to comply with the directive to hold the assembly could result in sanctions in accordance with Section 61 of the Local Government Code of 1991. “Barangay officials who fail to conduct a Barangay Assembly Day may face corresponding administrative complaints, which can be filed by any resident of the barangay, concerned citizen, governmental or non-governmental entity before the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan concerned,” Abalos said. In 2021, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, face-to-face conduct of the Barangay Assembly was only permitted in barangays without prevailing COVID issues, while others may modify the implementation based on their COVID status.###

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) welcomes President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s signing of Republic Act 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act yesterday. With many Filipinos victimized by text scams and data breaches on a daily basis, the signing of the SIM Card Registration Act is a welcome development in inciting accountability at all levels towards significantly reducing electronic communication-aided criminal acts that are being widely committed in anonymity. This new law will enable the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to quickly act on complaints and cases involving mobile scams as they will be able to easily track offenders and resolve misconduct involving telecommunication devices. With this new law, the DILG can better shepherd our attached agencies and local government units (LGUs) to adapt to the demands of the digital world as we fulfill our mandate on peace and order and safeguard our people against ill-intentioned criminals in both the offline and online space while continuing to operate within the bounds imposed by existing data privacy laws and regulations. The DILG, its attached agencies, and regional offices commit to supporting this new law’s implementation, keeping in mind the best interest of the Filipino people. ###

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) harnessed the support of partner national government agencies (NGAs), league of local government units (LGUs), private sectors, faith-based organizations (FBOs), and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the campaign against illegal drugs through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as it launched last Friday the ‘Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan’ or BIDA Program at Rizal Park Hotel in Manila City. BIDA program is an intensified and more holistic campaign against illegal drugs to reduce drug demand in the communities underscoring the PNP, PDEA, NBI & other agencies of government’s continued intensity in the war against drugs within the framework of the law, with respect for human rights, and complemented by rehabilitation and socioeconomic development. DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. said that the key to successful illegal drugs demand reduction is a collective action focused on the grassroots while targeting not only rehabilitation but also prevention by fostering anti-drug education at every level, from national programs to barangay activities and school events. “We need all hands on deck, and communities, schools, and families are at the heart of it all. This fight [against illegal drugs] is not the national government’s alone, nor the Philippine National Police’s (PNP); we must involve and empower the local government units (LGUs), the Barangay Anti-Drug Councils (BADACs), local institutions, the church, CSOs, and even individuals to join in on this fight,” Abalos said. “Nananawagan ako sa inyong lahat na patuloy tayong magkaisa. Sa ating mga mayors, kasama sa Gabinete, mga kapwa lingkod bayan at mga kapwa ko Pilipino, dinggin po natin ang panawagang magkaisa upang tuldukan ang mapanirang epekto ng iligal na droga,” he added. Abalos said that the MOU seeks to unify efforts of stakeholders against illegal drugs with the DILG leading in the formulation of policy; spearhead the overall implementation of the program from the Central to the LGU level; coordinate and provide technical assistance to LGUs; and, develop information, education, and communication (IEC) materials and collaterals. He said that the LGUs shall mobilize the support of various local departments, offices, and other key stakeholders and work closely with DILG in the implementation of the BIDA program. He added that the NGAs are urged to work closely with the DILG, support drug-demand reduction activities, and provide technical assistance while the CSOs and FBOs shall assist in the implementation of drug-demand reduction activities and spearhead advocacy and education campaigns in the communities. Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairperson Catalino S. Cuy signified the Board’s full support to the DILG’s initiative together with Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) Treasurer Atty. Ananias L. Canlas, Jr. and Rev. Fr. Jerome R. Secillano for the FBOs who expressed their full support to the BIDA program. “Asahan po ninyo ang aming supporta,” Canlas said. The DILG Chief said that among the partners who signified their support to the DILG on illegal drug campaign in the said MOU signing are the ULAP, League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Liga ng mga Barangay, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Junior Chamber International, Association of Anti-Drug Abuse Coalition of the Philipines, Inc., Iglesia ni Cristo, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, Imam Council of the Philippines, Inc., Department of Justice, Department of Health, Department of National Defense, Department of Finance, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, DDB, Commission on Higher Education, and Department of Education. Continues efforts vs illegal drugs In the same event, DILG Secretary Abalos said that the PNP arrested 12,578 drug personalities in various anti-illegal drugs operations and confiscated illegal drugs with an estimated worth of over P1.8 billion since July 1, 2022. He also said that sustained information drive led to 330 illegal drug surrenderees to police stations nationwide. Among the notable accomplishments of the PNP against illegal drugs, he added, were the P480-million worth of shabu seized in Pampanga in July and the P173-million worth of shabu confiscated in Quezon City. “When I assumed office, during the first month pa lamang, nakakuha na agad ang PNP ng P480-million worth of shabu in a drug operation sa Pampanga. While we acknowledge that these are no small wins, there is still a lot to be done to truly eradicate the drug menace in the country,” the DILG chief said. Abalos said that over 24,000 barangays have been declared drug-free since 2016, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the police organization and its incessant implementation of anti-illegal drugs measures. He likewise said that 11,000 barangays remain afflicted by illegal drug use. “Salamat sa PNP sa patuloy na pagtupad sa kanilang tungkulin na protektahan ang ating mga mamamayan. Saludo ako sa inyong husay at katapangang napakalaki po ng inyong ambag sa kaayusan at kapayapaan ng bansa. Tiwala ako na marami pa tayong magagawa upang puksain ang iligal na droga sa hinaharap,” he said.###

Aside from its Central Office, the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) 16 regional offices (ROs), including their covered functional offices, have been conferred with International Standard Organization (ISO) 9001: 2015 certification for conforming with quality management system standards. DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. said the conferment of ISO certification to the Regional Offices is a testament to the Department’s commitment to continuously raise the bar of quality services to local government units (LGUs) and the communities. “The DILG Central and Regional Offices have worked so hard for the alignment of the QMS (Quality Management System) at the Central and Regional Offices. This milestone is a welcome recognition of the Department’s unparalleled dedication to our quality policy and client satisfaction being matino, mahusay, at maaasahang kagawaran,” Abalos said. The ISO Certificate of Registration conferred to the DILG states that the Department operates a management system that has been assessed as conforming to ISO 9001: 2015 certification for the following scope of activities: public administration covering policy formulation, provision of technical and administrative services, performance oversight, and rewards and incentives. In the award letter to Abalos from the ISO certification body, Certification International President and Managing Director Joselito C Soler said “Congratulations on your accomplishment with the use of ISO 9001: 2015 as an instrument for enhancing the competitiveness of your organization and for meeting your stakeholders’ needs and expectations. We look forward to a strong partnership that will maximize your organization’s benefit from its certified Quality Management System.” Abalos commended DILG overall Deputy Quality Management Representative Asec. Ester A. Aldana, the process owners, and the entire DILG Central and Regional personnel for ensuring that the Department maintains its ISO certification and stays at par with global standards of quality. The DILG Central Office established its QMS in 2015 in compliance with Executive Order 605 directing all government offices to implement QMS that will institutionalize structures, mechanisms, and standards in government to ensure quality in systems and processes in government operations. The Department then received its first ISO certification in 2016 and the subsequent ISO 9001: 2015 certification in 2019 for its 80 QMS enrolled processes. Since then, the DILG has been taking strides to replicate the best practices of ISO standards from the Central to the Regional Offices. Among the certified sites at the Central Office are the Bureau of Local Government Development, Bureau of Local Government Supervision, Office of Project Development Services, National Barangay Operations Office, Administrative Service, Information Systems and Technology Management Service, Financial and Management Service, Internal Audit Service, Legal and Legislative Liaison Service, Planning Service, Public Affairs and Communication Service, Project Management Offices, Office of the Assistant Secretaries, Office of the Undersecretaries, and Office of the Secretary. At the Regional Offices, Abalos said the following regions were likewise granted the same ISO certification: Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Region II (Cagayan Valley), Region III (Central Luzon), Region IV-A (CALABARZON), Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), Region V (Bicol Region), Region VI (Western Visayas), Region VII (Central Visayas), Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region X (Northern Mindanao), Region XI (Davao Region) Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN), Region XIII (CARAGA), National Capital Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region. “Now that the alignment of all 16 ROs is complete, we are looking forward to bringing the ISO certification down to our Provincial and field offices. This is to ensure that quality processes and programs within the DILG are documented and synchronized with the processes at the Central Office,” Abalos said. ISO certification certifies that a management system, manufacturing process, service, or documentation procedure has all the requirements for standardization and quality assurance. ISO is an independent, non-governmental, international organization that develops standards to ensure the quality, safety, and efficiency of products, services, and systems. ###

In support of President Ferdinand ‘BongBong’ Marcos, Jr.’s directive to ramp up COVID-19 booster vaccination rate in the country, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday conducted a simultaneous Bakunahang Bayan: PinasLakas Special Vaccination Day in its Central and Regional Offices to inoculate with COVID-19 booster shots all of its 6,140 employees. DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr., who joined Department employees in DILG Region XII in Koronadal, South Cotabato for the Bakunahan activity, said the simultaneous booster vaccination to further immunize the 1,026 personnel from the Central Office and 5,114 from the Regional Offices of DILG is a clear manifestation of the Department, the national government, and various stakeholders’ united stand to end the COVID-19 pandemic by building a stronger wall of immunity to protect the public from the virus through booster vaccination. “These booster vaccination drives we organized within the Department is our small way of showing the DILG’s full support to the government’s Bakunahang Bayan: PinasLakas Special Vaccination Days campaign. Kaisa po ang DILG sa hangarin ng ating Pangulo sa kampanyang ito. Itataguyod po namin ito hindi lamang sa ating LGUs, ngunit maging sa loob mismo ng aming Kagawaran,” Abalos said. Bakunahang Bayan: PinasLakas Special Vaccination Days is an initiative of the Department of Health (DOH) targeting to augment the COVID-19 booster vaccination rate in the country by making vaccines accessible to the people in their workplace, transportation terminals, and drugstores, among others. Abalos highlighted that DILG’s vaccination program among its employees was conducted within the Department’s central and regional offices ensuring the convenience and availability of COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses for its personnel. “Hindi na kailangan pang lumayo ng ating mga kawani sa gobyerno. Nasa DILG mismo ang bakuna kaya hindi sila mahihirapan kumpletuhin ang kanilang bakuna at kumuha ng booster shot,” he said. He said the health and safety of government workers come first to be able to fully deliver excellent service to the public. In his first State of the Nation Address, the President directed the DOH and DILG to undertake another rollout for booster shots. “Patuloy din ang ating vaccine booster rollout para sa ating pangkalahatang depensa. Sa ganitong paraan, kahit pa tumaas muli ang bilang ng mga COVID cases, mananatiling mababa ang bilang ng mga maoospital at bilang ng mga namamatay.” As of September 27, 2022, 73 million individuals have completed their primary vaccine series while 19.3 million individuals have received their COVID-19 booster doses. NCR has the highest number of booster individuals tallying 5,089,242, followed by CALABARZON with 3,098,816 and Central Luzon with 2,635,869. LGUs’ intensified vax program Abalos also enjoined the local government units (LGUs) to intensify the booster vaccination program in their respective localities to achieve the government’s vaccination goal of 90% for the senior citizen population for the primary series and 50% of the general population for the first booster dose, for the first 100 days of the administration. In a DILG Memorandum, Abalos urged all local chief executives (LCEs) to mobilize their resources and conduct a stronger COVID-19 vaccination program until October 8. “We have demonstrated time and again that we are stronger, together. Katulad po ng paglaban natin sa COVID-19 halos tatlong taon na, samahan ninyo po kaming muli.” Under the memorandum, LGUs are enjoined to establish local vaccination sites in malls, plazas, markets, places of worship, basketball courts, and other covered courts; mobilize and capacitate their local Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) to conduct the vaccination drive for senior citizens; mobilize barangay officials to conduct a master listing of unvaccinated residents; and coordinate with the provincial offices and community service centers of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and identify areas with high numbers of unvaccinated IPs. LGUs are also encouraged to heighten local advocacy and demand generation through an information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign, among others. Likewise, Abalos instructed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to coordinate with the LGUs, DOH Center for Health Development, and other key partners in the conduct of PinasLakas. He said that top performing LGUs in their PinasLakas vaccination drives shall be awarded on October 9.###

First of all, we would like to thank our local government units, especially our local disaster risk reduction and management officers, our uniformed personnel led by our Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection, and the other member-agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for their commitment and sacrifice before and during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Karding. On the part of the PNP, a total of 8,642 police officers were deployed to evacuation centers, vacated and affected areas including vital installations such as public markets, gas stations, terminals, warehouses, relief operation centers, and other public convergence areas. Another 11,619 firefighters and personnel, 1,596 fire trucks, 103 ambulances, 22 rescue trucks, and seven rescue boats were also deployed in strategic locations to evacuate and provide assistance to affected residents. Meanwhile, LGUs of affected regions also stepped up their efforts and carried out critical actions even before Karding’s landfall. Reports from the ground showed that the LGUs were able to convene their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) and conduct Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meetings; activated Barangay DRRMCs for close coordination, prepositioning of necessary supplies and preparation of evacuation centers; and, conducted pre-emptive evacuations starting on September 24, 2022. We also made sure that local chief executives, as the chairpersons of their respective local disaster risk reduction and management committees, were physically present in their respective localities to ensure that they are on top of disaster management operations in their areas. Despite all of these, we are heartbroken over the death of five rescuers from the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office who perished during a rescue mission at the height of Karding. We give our snappy salute to them for their unparalleled dedication to public service as we offer our sincere condolences and prayers to their families. While Karding is now outside the Philippine area of responsibility, the worst may be over but our work is not yet done. It is now time for us to rebuild our people’s lives and ensure that those affected are provided with immediate relief and assistance from the national and local governments. Based on our reports from the field, some 101,847 individuals or 25,642 families affected by Typhoon Karding who took refuge in the evacuation areas at the onslaught of the typhoon are now decamping and returning to their respective homes. Of this number, 34,200 people or 9,582 families are from Region III; 33,624 people or 7,189 families in NCR; and 29,122 people or 7,380 families are from Region IV-A. Another 1,061 people or 328 families from CAR; 1,670 people or 496 families in Region I; 1,284 people or 398 families in Region II; 878 people or 267 families are from Region IV-B; and eight people or two families from Region V. Considering that flood has not yet subsided in many low-lying areas in Region III and IV-A, we caution the public from submerging in flood waters as they may be inflicted with water-borne diseases and complications. Among the flooded areas are the City of Imus, Naic, and Ternate, Cavite; Mabitac and City of San Pedro, Laguna; Patnanungan, Quezon; Obando and Paombong, Bulacan; Macabebe and Masantol, Pampanga. We likewise advise the LGUs of the affected areas to fast-track the road clearing operations in areas that were affected or unpassable due to landslides and road debris. For those affected by the damaged/impassable bridges in Cauayan City and Echague, Isabela; Alfonso Castañeda, Nueva Viscaya; Saguday, Quirino; and Santa Maria, Bulacan, please coordinate closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways for alternate routes while we look for long-term solutions for bridge repairs or reconstructions. For the 14 provinces in Regions I, II, III, IV-A and CAR that are still affected by power interruptions and outages, we ask for more patience and understanding as our LCEs are working closely with your respective power providers to have the power restored the soonest possible time. Since port operations are still suspended in all ports of Luzon, we advise the traveling public to wait for the go signal from the Philippine Ports Authority before you resume your journey. Panghuli, sa kabila ng sakit at pighati sa mga nawalan ng kapamilya at nasalantang mga pananim sa pananalasa ng bagyong Karding, masasabi natin na mas handa na ang ating mga LGUs laban sa mga lumalakas na bagyo. Patunay lamang ito na epektibo na ang sistemang ilang taon nang ipinapatupad na kagaya ng Operation Listo kahit halos bago pa ang mga nakaupo sa puwesto. Makakaasa kayo na ang inyong DILG ay narito para tulungan kayo upang sama-sama tayong makabangon muli mula sa pinsala at pasakit na dinulot ni Karding. ###

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. today expressed his full support for the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 3 lifting the mandatory mask use outdoors as he urged local government units (LGUs) to strictly carry out the provisions of the same Order requiring the wearing of face masks in indoor areas and public transportation. “The Department is 100% behind President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. in the implementation of EO 3 on voluntary face mask use outdoors. But while the face mask policy has been made optional in the outdoors, the use of face masks in indoor public and private establishments and in public conveyances shall continue to be enforced, especially now that cases are on the uptick,” Abalos said. “LGUs should, therefore, take the lead in ensuring compliance from the public to the indoor and public transport face mask rule in their respective areas,” he added. The DILG Secretary said he has also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to help LGUs in making sure that the indoor and public transport face mask rule is observed by the public. “LGUs and the PNP should coordinate closely in ensuring that the public continues to wear face masks indoors and in public transportation. We are still in the middle of the pandemic and we cannot let our guards down,” he said. Abalos, however, said high-risk individuals, which include senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals, and those who are not fully vaccinated, are still strongly encouraged to wear masks, and physical distancing will be observed at all times. “Nakikiusap po kami sa ating mga senior at may mga malulubhang karamdaman, for your own safety and health, please wear your facemasks at all times. The threat of COVID-19 cannot be discounted by anyone, more so, our vulnerable population,” he said. EO No. 3 issued by the Office of the President on September 12, 2022, allows the voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation and reiterates the continued implementation of minimum public health standards. The same EO states that face masks are still mandatory in indoor settings, public transportation by air, land, and sea; and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Abalos emphasized that despite a more lax facemask mandate, LGUs must continue the implementation of minimum public health standards (MPHS) in their respective jurisdictions and ensure that compliance on the provisions of EO No. 3 is observed down to the barangays. “Patuloy pa rin po ang pagpapairal ng MPHS, yan po ang ating paalala sa mga LGUs,” he said. Well-calculated policy Meanwhile, the DILG Secretary said that the signing of the EO is a clear signal to all LGUs to move in one accord in terms of the implementation of the facemask mandate in their locality. He said that the focus of LGUs now should be “ensuring that the policy will not be abused and that people are still protected from the virus.” “With the signing of EO No. 3, we hope that issues and questions from LGUs and other sectors on whether or not to continue wearing facemasks outdoors will be laid to rest as the Order makes wearing masks in open spaces optional for all except for senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals and those who are not fully vaccinated who are strongly encouraged to still do so,” he said. Abalos said that the President’s signing of the EO is based on the sound recommendation of the Interagency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) to liberalize the mask mandate; the high vaccination rate in the country; and, the lax mask policies in neighboring Asian and other countries which did not trigger an increase in COVID-19 cases. “This is a well-calculated move from the government at pinag-aralan ng mga eksperto but at the end of the day, ang pakikiisa pa rin ng ating mga kababayan at iba’t-ibang sektor ang ating kailangan.” ###

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) welcomes its inclusion in the Top 10 Agencies, ranking 4th, with the highest resolution rate of public complaints from January to June 2022 as reported by the Civil Service Commission’s Contact Center ng Bayan (CSC-CCB). With a resolution rate of 88.24 percent or 15 out of 17 complaints lodged before the CCB resolved for the first half of the year, the DILG takes pride in providing necessary assistance to the public and acting on public feedback in compliance with the number of days required under Republic Act No. 11032 of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. While this recognition serves as a testimony of the DILG’s commitment to performing our duties and responsibilities, we vow to persistently advance participatory governance and transparency as we pursue the fulfillment of our mandate. We will continue to provide easy access channels for the public to reach the government and express their concerns to genuinely and directly address their needs at the grassroots. The DILG shall ensure the effective and efficient delivery of basic services to achieve our clients’ satisfaction as we uphold our core values of integrity, commitment, teamwork, and responsiveness. Asahan ninyo na magpapatuloy ang DILG sa pagtupad ng aming mandato na makapagbigay ng matino, mahusay at maaasahang serbisyo para sa ikabubuti ng ating mga pamayanan at ng bawat Pilipino. ###

ILOILO CITY – Executives and officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) gathered together to a dialogue dubbed, “Stronger Together for Local Governance: DILG Executives and Officers’ Dialogue” today, September 8, 2022. The activity served as venue for coordination and consultation among officials, especially for the newly appointed heads of the department. DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. encouraged DILG leaders present to set a parameter in handling authority and responsibilities in order to efficiently deliver the Department’s services, and to work together to attain goals adopting a common policy and system for the good of the people. He also urged Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and Directors from the Bureaus and Services of Central Office, Regional Directors and Provincial and City Directors to align the DILG’s mandate with the advocacies of other national government agencies. “Importante na malinaw ang responsibilidad ng bawat isa, at kung anong authority meron tayo para wala nang gulo in the future. Set the goals, set the system of how we do it, and the rest ay nasa atin kung ano tayo kasipag na gawin ito,” emphasized the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. Further, SILG Abalos Jr. expressed his gratitude to the DILG Family for the utmost cooperation and dedication of everyone during his visit at the regional offices as part of his efforts to extend support down to the grassroots level. The Executives’ and Field Officers’ Dialogue is a milestone for DILG Western Visayas, as it hosts the first big national event of the new administration. DILG 6 Regional Director Juan Jovian E. Ingeniero, in his message, stressed that the dialogue would allow DILG leaders to build a foundation for new things for the department – a new set of leaders to direct its path and new priorities to conquer. “Embracing the ideals of DILG being matino, mahusay at maasahan, we are all definitely ready to take whatever challenge there is through collective acts of refocusing, redirecting and rebuilding. That is what being stronger together for local governance should also be,” said RD Ingeniero. According to the SILG, there is much to be discussed and to work on, such as the COVID Endemic Update Protocols on Mask Mandate Outdoors. He also stressed the need for more flexibility in the implementation of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), in view of several changes. He also discussed several factors that must be considered, such as the decline in financial standing faced by several LGUs, prioritization of digitalization that may be adopted to get rid of corruption, and the need to capacitate local governments in the light of Mandanas-Garcia Supreme Court Ruling by reassessing the Local Government Code. Various issues and concerns were raised and addressed during the dialogue related to topics on 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP); DILG’s Direction in the Next 10 years; DILG Priorities for the Next 6 years; and other pressing issues on the programs, projects and activities (PPA) of the department including the Launch of Anti-Illegal Drug Campaign, National Simultaneous Bamboo and Tree Planting, and Vaccination Roll-out. Initiating this dialogue brought the DILG to imperatively be agile in adapting and adjusting its targets and deliverables. This would enable to institutionalize existing programs and provide space for new innovations and priorities. SILG Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. as the lead in providing guidance to local governments’ attainment of full development in their communities, DILG will be more active and dynamic on its role towards national development that will contribute to achieve the President’s directive of building a better future for Filipinos.###

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged the country’s barangay officials to support the Marcos administration’s campaign to eliminate the proliferation of illegal drugs and maintain peace and order. DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. made the appeal during the 2022 National Barangay Congress in Pasay City. Speaking to the barangay leaders, Abalos said they should help the Philippine National Police (PNP) in maintaining public order in their communities. He urged them to utilize their barangay tanods to act as augmentation to the police force. “As the frontliners in government service, our barangay officials are in a very strategic position to help our police force in securing our kababayans. Our barangay tanods or Bantay Bayan serve as force multipliers of our uniformed personnel in ensuring peace and order and combating illegal drugs,” Abalos said. He noted that as the basic unit of government, it is the barangay officials’ duty to protect the welfare of the public, adding that the local government is mandated to enforce existing national laws. “Hindi lamang kayo katuwang ng kapulisan kundi kayo ay may mandato na siguruhin ang kaligtasan ng inyong mga nasasakupan,” he said. The DILG Chief likewise reiterated his previous call to operationalize and strengthen the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) which render assistance to the law enforcement agencies in the eradication of illegal drugs. Laudable COVID-19 response In his message, Secretary Abalos also commended the barangay officials for playing a critical role in the government’s COVID-19 response. He noted that at the height of the pandemic, it was the barangay officials who were at the frontlines of government response, leading the distribution of relief packs and other ayuda, and ensuring the people’s compliance with the minimum public health standards. “Pinangunahan ng ating magigiting na barangay kapitan, mga kagawad, at iba pang bahagi ng pamahalaang barangay ang pagpapatupad ng iba’t ibang polisiya at istratehiya upang makontrol ang pagkalat ng virus, at mabigyan ng kinakailangan pagkain, kagamitan, lunas, at ayuda ang ating mga kababayan saan man sa bansa,” Abalos said. Acknowledging that the barangays are the heart and core of government service in the country, Abalos assured that the National Government, through the DILG, will remain steadfast in capacitating local officials nationwide and ensure that they are fully equipped to perform the duties entrusted to them by the people. “Focus on the work that you need to do, extend help to those who greatly need it, and be assured that whatever you may require in accomplishing this grand task, we will do our very best to provide for and assist with in any way that we can,” he said. ###