Republic of the Philippines

DILG Backs Stronger Local Investment in Children’s Welfare Through Budget Tagging and Tracking Initiative Reinforcing PBBM’s  commitment to uphold children’s rights and welfare, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging all Local Government Units (LGUs) to implement the Child Budget and Expenditure Tagging and Tracking (CBETT) framework in their local budgeting processes. “Children should not be an afterthought. In the vision of Bagong Pilipinas, they are a central priority. Their welfare is a true measure of whether governance is delivering meaningful, long-term impact,” said DILG Undersecretary Rolando C. Puno. Puno delivered these remarks on behalf of Secretary Jonvic Remulla during the national launch of CBETT and the ceremonial signing of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) between the DILG, the Council for the Welfare of Children, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF). The JMC institutionalizes CBETT as a tool to strengthen public service delivery and enhance LGU investments that advance the rights and well-being of Filipino children. It ensures that local budget allocations directly contribute to national development goals for children. Developed by the Public Finance for Children Committee (PF4C), CBETT provides LGUs with a structured approach to tag, track, and monitor financial resources allocated for child-focused programs and services. “CBETT is not about spending more—it’s about spending right. Every peso allocated for children must be traceable, defensible, and impactful,” Puno emphasized.  He highlighted that CBETT supports broader government efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and strategic local budgeting aligned with national priorities. Puno also expressed his appreciation to the PF4C for laying the policy groundwork for this initiative and called on LGUs to move beyond compliance by designing and implementing programs that truly make a difference in the lives of children. “That is what real governance  looks like, and that is what we will ensure from today forward.” he concluded. ###

GAD Para sa Bayan: DILG Strengthens Focal Points for Gender-Responsive Governance The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reaffirmed its commitment to gender-responsive governance through a two-day capacity development activity titled “G.E.A.R. uP for GAD: Capacity Development on Gender Equality, Analysis, and Responsive Planning,” held in Quezon City for members of the DILG Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System (GFPS). This initiative forms part of the Department’s intensified efforts to mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment in local governance and public administration, in line with the directive of DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Undersecretary Jon Paulo Salvahan, GFPS Executive Committee Chairperson, commended participants for their active engagement and unwavering dedication to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. “I urge everyone to proudly carry forward the tools, knowledge, and resolve you have gained toward a more gender-responsive and genuinely inclusive DILG,” Salvahan said. “I am confident that our Department will emerge as one of the national government’s leading champions for gender and development.” Assistant Secretary Ester A. Aldana, Alternate Chairperson of the DILG GFPS Executive Committee, emphasized the crucial role of the GFPS in embedding gender perspectives into policies, programs, and decision-making processes. “An effective GFPS relies on the right capacities and competencies—this includes a solid grasp of gender concepts, gender analysis, policy development, and monitoring and evaluation,” she noted. “Together, we can ensure that gender equality remains at the core of governance.” The training aimed to reskill and reorient GFPS members on fundamental GAD principles and tools, including gender analysis, responsive planning and budgeting, and mainstreaming strategies. It also featured presentations of best practices by recognized GAD Champions to encourage localized and results-oriented implementation across DILG units. Through initiatives like this, the DILG continues to empower its workforce as advocates for inclusive development, advancing a more equitable and gender-responsive bureaucracy. ###

Ligtas na Paaralan: DILG Deploys Barangay Tanods to Strengthen School Safety Nationwide In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the safety and security of students, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), has urged the deployment of Barangay Tanods in public schools nationwide for School Year 2025–2026. Under DILG Memorandum Circular 2025-072, barangays are enjoined to work closely with DepEd schools within their jurisdiction to assign tanods who will manage traffic during arrival and dismissal, patrol school premises and nearby areas frequented by students, monitor and report incidents that may threaten safety, and perform other lawful duties assigned by the Punong Barangay or the police to secure school zones. City and municipal mayors are likewise urged to provide full logistical support to barangays to ensure the effective implementation of this initiative. Authorized under Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, tanods serve as community service units to assist in peace and order efforts. This school safety drive builds on their existing mandate under DILG Memorandum Circular 2024-086, which includes patrolling communities, securing high-risk areas, preventing crime, and assisting in traffic management. The DILG calls on all local governments, school officials, and communities to work together in making every learning space in the country safe and secure for Filipino learners. ###

Over 133 Million Kilos of Waste Collected Nationwide Through DILG’s Kalinisan Program, Boosting Flood Prevention in Bagong Pilipinas The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reports that more than 133 million kilograms of garbage have been collected nationwide through the KALINISAN (Kalinga at Inisyatiba para sa Malinis na Bayan) Program since its launch in January 2024. This is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for a clean, safe, and disaster-resilient Bagong Pilipinas. KALINISAN mobilizes local governments and communities for regular clean-ups under a renewed spirit of bayanihan. It addresses solid waste management while directly supporting flood prevention efforts by clearing waterways, drainage systems, and public spaces of clog-causing debris and plastic waste. A key component, the Barangay at Kalinisan Day (BARKADA), mandates weekly clean-ups in every barangay, often held every Saturday. From January 6, 2024, to May 3, 2025, over 22,000 barangays have cleaned around 4 million sites nationwide. These activities engage about 500,000 participants weekly, including 166,000 barangay officials. The program ensures proper waste disposal through segregation, transport to transfer stations, recycling in Materials Recovery Facilities, and composting. Initiatives like Palit Basura promote waste-to-goods exchange, while composted fertilizer supports community gardens. These measures prevent plastics and other clog-prone waste from entering waterways, reducing the risk of urban flooding. KALINISAN is more than a clean-up drive. It is a disaster risk reduction, public health, and nation-building strategy—proving that clean communities are safer, healthier, and more resilient against floods, disease, and disorder. ###

DILG launches infra audit program to boost earthquake resilience As part of the President’s directive to strengthen disaster preparedness, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has launched the Infrastructure Audit (IA) Program. This initiative aims to assess LGU- owned critical infrastructure nationwide, with a focus on densely populated areas located along active fault lines.  The program aims to standardize assessment of local public infrastructure using the harmonized IA tool developed with national and local government agencies and stakeholders. Given the broad scope of the audit, priority will be given to LGU-owned and key public buildings that deliver essential services such as hospitals, school buildings, government offices and emergency response facilities. The audit will exclude privately-owned buildings not providing essential services, residential properties, and buildings owned by the national government. Audit findings will be compiled into an integrated database managed by the DILG, serving as a resource for risk assessment, planning, and policy development at both national and local levels.  LGUs are urged to establish audit teams chaired by their local chief executives and composed of key local functionaries and a civil society representative with engineering expertise.  DILG Regional Offices are likewise directed to establish Local Infrastructure Learning Hubs (LILHubs) to support LGU audit teams, involving  regional agencies, engineering associations, academic institutions, and private sector partners.   Audit cycles will vary by infrastructure type: every 5 years for government and emergency facilities, every 3 years for essential services (e.g., health, education, markets), and annually for national or world cultural relics (churches and museums). In the wake of a major earthquake, LGUs must conduct immediate damage assessments in accordance with Republic Act No. 10121 on disaster response.  The DILG, through its Project Development Services and Regional Offices, will monitor implementation, provide technical assistance, and maintain a web-based system to track audit data and share information on infrastructure resilience. As the Vice Chairperson for Disaster Preparedness under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the DILG remains committed to fortifying our communities against disasters and protecting the welfare and safety of the general public. ###

Remulla urges strict compliance with new procurement law to promote transparency and efficiency Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has directed all DILG personnel to fully comply with Republic Act No. 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act, highlighting its role in promoting transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public spending. Speaking at the Department’s first NGPA Caravan, Remulla underscored the importance of practicing the law with integrity to ensure value for money in all procurement activities. “Sana tuparin ninyo ang batas na ito. Ito’y para sa atin, ito’y para sa ating mga kababayan,” he said. The Secretary emphasized that the law was enacted to modernize and streamline procurement procedures, eliminate corruption at all levels, and restore public trust in government. “Ito po’y ginawa para mabawasan ang korapsyon sa ating bayan. Ito’y ginawa para tumaas ang tiwala ng ating mga constituents,” he added, echoing the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for transparency, good governance, and effective public service. The NGPA, signed into law on July 20, 2024, revising RA 9184 and introduces reforms that will professionalize procurement and strengthen digital systems. The training caravan aims to equip Bids and Awards Committee members, BAC Secretariats, and Technical Working Groups across the bureaucracy with the knowledge and tools to implement the law. DILG Undersecretary and Head of Procuring Entity Atty. Omar Alexander Romero encouraged participants to treat procurement as a core governance tool. “The only way to learn procurement is to practice it. Find a way to use procurement as a strategy, and not as an afterthought,” he said. The training covered NGPA provisions on electronic procurement, contract management, and strategic planning. It also introduced new features including a fully digital PhilGEPS platform with e-catalogues, reverse auctions, e-payments, and mandatory video documentation for high-value contracts. The law supports green procurement, domestic preference for local industries, wider procurement options, and the professionalization of procurement personnel. The DILG continues to lead by example in embracing reforms that deliver public services with integrity, speed, and transparency. ###

DILG urges LGUs to exceed solid waste diversion targets in local SWM plans The Department of the Interior and Local Government is urging local government units to exceed the minimum waste diversion targets in their 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plans to reduce landfill use, cut tipping fees, and strengthen local climate and disaster resilience. Effective waste diversion reduces reliance on landfills. There are currently 1,053 operational sanitary landfills nationwide with a combined capacity of 63.4 million cubic meters. These facilities receive around 19,700 tons of waste daily. Of this number, 680 landfills serve multiple LGUs. Regions with the most operational landfills include Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Calabarzon, Northern Mindanao, and Davao. Under Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, LGUs are mandated to divert at least 25 percent of solid waste from disposal facilities within five years of the law’s effectivity, with incremental increases every three years. Waste diversion includes composting, recycling, reuse, and other resource recovery activities. To date, 1,592 LGUs consisting of 77 provinces, 146 cities, and 1,369 municipalities have approved 10-Year SWM Plans. The regions with the highest number of compliant LGUs are Eastern Visayas, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Luzon, and Central Visayas. The law also requires every barangay or cluster to establish a Materials Recovery Facility. These MRFs play a critical role in local implementation and must maintain proper waste diversion records to guide planning and program monitoring. Based on the 2023 LGU Compliance Assessment, 120 of the 187 LGUs in the Manila Bay Watershed area now operate both central and barangay-level MRFs with updated diversion records. These include seven in the National Capital Region, 49 in Central Luzon, and 64 in Calabarzon. Among the best practices recorded are Cabanatuan City’s rapid composter that serves 45 urban barangays and Lipa City’s facility that converts shredded plastic into eco-bricks alongside its composting operation. The DILG calls on LGUs to go beyond compliance. Surpassing waste diversion targets not only reduces environmental impact and prolongs the life of landfills but also leads to lower costs, cleaner communities, and healthier, more resilient localities. ###

Promoting Good Governance: DILG Conducts Executive Briefings for New Local Officials In a strong push to uphold good governance, accountability, and seamless leadership transition, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), through its regional and field offices, is requiring all newly elected local officials—including governors, mayors, vice mayors, and sanggunian members—to participate in the Executive Briefing for Newly Elected Officials (NEOs). The initiative is part of the DILG’s continuing efforts to strengthen local governance during the critical first 100 days in office. The briefing equips officials with the knowledge, tools, and strategic pathways necessary to lead with integrity, transparency, and purpose. Sessions include evidence-based insights, local governance diagnostics, and context-specific recommendations tailored to each Local Government Unit (LGU). Local Governance Transition Teams (LGTTs) facilitate the orientation of newly elected officials, oversee the inventory of local government properties, manage the turn-over process, and prepare the Final Transition Report. These efforts support the national directive to make LGUs more accountable, responsive, and future ready. The briefings are currently being conducted across all 17 regions, with 1,045 LGUs having completed their sessions to date. A key tool featured in the briefings is the Governance Assessment Report (GAR), which helps local leaders identify performance gaps and set priority areas for their administration. The Executive Briefing also serves as the formal entry point to the three-year NEO Performing Leadership for Uplifting Service (NEO PLUS) Program, which provides strategic leadership and management training to new and returning officials from July to August 2025. Through these efforts, the DILG reaffirms its commitment to support the President’s agenda of empowering local governments, fostering responsive and effective governance, and building stronger institutions across all levels of government. ###

DILG: Over ₱20 Billion in Barangay Projects Support PBBM Vision of Peace and Progress In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to lasting peace and inclusive development, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) continues to lead the implementation of the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP), bringing real and visible progress to communities across the country.  From 2022 to 2025, a total of 5,590 SBDP projects worth over P20-billion have been completed in more than 4,000 barangays nationwide. The projects include: 2,933 farm-to-market roads; 877 water and sanitation systems; 510 school buildings; 606 health stations; and 664 electrification projects. The DILG said these investments are part of the government’s broader strategy to building stronger communities from the ground up and sustain peace and development, especially in formerly conflict-affected areas and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).   In his State of the Nation Address, the President highlighted the government’s success in ending insurgency and stressed the importance of ongoing development efforts to maintain peace. The SBDP plays a key role in this strategy by funding projects that improve infrastructure and services at the barangay level. The SBDP budget has been increasing, allowing more substantial investments per barangay—from ₱4 million in 2022 to ₱7.5 million in 2024, then continuing to provide strong support in 2025. This sustained funding is essential in ensuring barangays have the infrastructure and services needed to support peace and development. The DILG urges local government units and communities to continue working together to maximize the benefits of SBDP and help build stronger, safer barangays for all Filipinos. ###

DILG: No Killings Under PBBM’s Reshaped Anti-Illegal Drug Campaign 5 Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has successfully ushered in a new era in the country’s anti-drug campaign — one grounded in accountability, science, and rule of law, without resorting to killings. Speaking during the post-SONA discussions, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said a major shift took place under the Marcos administration — one that put an end to the old “reward-based” system that encouraged police abuses, including unlawful killings. Remulla said that when he assumed office, he prioritized the elimination of corrupt practices within the police, particularly those hoarding seized drugs for resale or for fabricated operations.   According to him, a systemic culture was prevalent before where officers would seize large quantities of illegal drugs, submit a fraction, and recycle the rest back into the market. “Ngayong panahon ni Presidente Marcos, sabi niya tigil na ‘yan. Ang nangyari niyan, hinuli muna namin ‘yung bodega, wala ng reward system.” In just eight months, the country’s interdiction efforts — spearheaded by the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) — have led to the seizure of six tons of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu). Consequently, the street price of shabu has risen by 35%, from P5,000 to P6,800 per gram — a clear sign of curtailed supply. “So, the drug war is working without killing anyone. Hindi kailangang pumatay para manalo sa drug war,” he said.  During the same event, PDEA Director General Isagani Nerez said that PBBM’s Enhanced Anti-Drug Strategy is producing strong results with the seizure of ₱82 billion worth of illegal drugs in just three years, which is close to  the previous administration’s drug haul for six years. He said 9,686 high-value targets were also arrested in the first three years of PBBM, which is significantly higher than the those nabbed in the first three years of the past administration. This renewed focus on integrity and transparency under the Marcos administration sends a strong message: the Philippine government is serious about eliminating illegal drugs, but not at the cost of justice or human lives. ###