Republic of the Philippines

Bawat Tanim, May Pagkain: Over 4.3M Households Now Planting Their Own Food Over 4.3 million households across the country are now producing fresh fruits and vegetables from their own backyards through the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay (HAPAG) sa Barangay project. As of the latest monitoring, a total of 4,374,445 families have established their own vegetable or backyard gardens. Region VII posted the highest number with 2.9 million households, followed by Region X with 323,000, and Region XI with 167,000. Under Memorandum Circular 2023-001, the DILG has urged all barangays to promote family vegetable gardens and encourage the planting of fruit-bearing trees in available open spaces, alongside the establishment of community gardens. The Department emphasizes that backyard gardening is a practical solution to food insecurity, especially when disasters affect large-scale agricultural production. With food grown nearby, families have better access to nutritious meals even during emergencies. The HAPAG sa Barangay program aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to strengthen food security and reduce hunger in Filipino communities. The DILG calls on more families to grow their own food, not only as a way to address hunger but also to build a culture of preparedness, sustainability, and self-reliance for generations to come.

Bawat Tanim, May Pagkain: Over 4.3M Households Now Planting Their Own Food Over 4.3 million households across the country are now producing fresh fruits and vegetables from their own backyards through the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay (HAPAG) sa Barangay project.   As of the latest monitoring, a total of 4,374,445 families have established their own vegetable or backyard gardens. Region VII posted the highest number with 2.9 million households, followed by Region X with 323,000, and Region XI with 167,000.   Under Memorandum Circular 2023-001, the DILG has urged all barangays to promote family vegetable gardens and encourage the planting of fruit-bearing trees in available open spaces, alongside the establishment of community gardens.   The Department emphasizes that backyard gardening is a practical solution to food insecurity, especially when disasters affect large-scale agricultural production. With food grown nearby, families have better access to nutritious meals even during emergencies.   The HAPAG sa Barangay program aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to strengthen food security and reduce hunger in Filipino communities.   The DILG calls on more families to grow their own food, not only as a way to address hunger but also to build a culture of preparedness, sustainability, and self-reliance for generations to come. ###  

Barangays Cultivating Change thru HAPAG Gardens Barangays across the country are taking community gardening seriously, making food security a consistent and accountable part of local governance. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) affirms that barangay gardens are now being treated not as temporary initiatives but as part of their regular services. By doing so, barangays ensure sustainability, multi-sector participation, and alignment with national goals on food access and poverty alleviation. This strategy is aligned with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2023-001, titled “Implementation of the HAPAG sa Barangay Project.”   According to DILG monitoring of the HAPAG sa Barangay program, to date, a total of 24,933 barangays have food gardens. These efforts account for a combined land area of over seven million square meters. Regions VIII, III, and CALABARZON recorded the highest barangay participation, with thousands of reported garden sites linked to nutrition, DRRM, and livelihood initiatives. In some provinces, barangay councils have begun coordinating with their local development councils and municipal agriculture offices to allocate regular funding for soil enrichment, seeds, fencing, and small irrigation tools. Barangay Nutrition Committees and Sangguniang Kabataan councils are also contributing manpower and monitoring support for these community gardens. The DILG commits to providing continuous guidance to ensure that local plans remain inclusive and nutrition-sensitive. Regional and provincial field offices have been tasked to support barangays in identifying available public lands, integrating garden development into their investment pipelines, and reporting outcomes through appropriate platforms. The Department encourages all barangays to revisit their existing development plans and ensure that food and nutrition programs are formally embedded, not just as one-off interventions, but as governance priorities with community ownership. This policy shift reflects the government’s whole-of-community approach to food security: ensuring that Filipinos not only have access to food today, but have systems in place that protect that access in the future.

DILG: Elected officials with final executory suspension, dismissal orders barred from exercising powers The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) affirms that elected officials with final and executory orders of suspension or dismissal remain legally barred from exercising the powers of their office, even as they assume title today, June 30, 2025, the official start of the new term. According to the DILG, a dismissal decision from the Office of the Ombudsman becomes immediately executory only in so far as it pertains to the official’s removal from the current post. The accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office applies only upon finality of the decision. Officials with pending motions for reconsideration or judicial remedies may not yet be considered perpetually disqualified and may assume office, subject to outcome of their cases. However, except for suspension imposed as a penalty issued pursuant to the LGC, executory suspension orders, whether preventive or penalty-based—remain fully binding, even if the official has been proclaimed and has taken an oath. In such cases, assumption to office is limited to the acquisition of legal title; the official is not permitted to perform the duties, exercise the powers, or discharge the responsibilities of the position during the period of suspension. The DILG emphasized that the rule of law mandates compliance with valid suspension and dismissal orders, regardless of electoral outcome. This position is supported by jurisprudence, including Carpio Morales v. CA and Binay, which categorically abandoned the condonation doctrine and upheld the enforceability of administrative sanctions despite re-election. To prevent disruption in governance, the DILG has activated succession protocols under Section 46 of the Local Government Code. In cases where elected local officials are under final suspension or dismissal, the vice-governor, vice-mayor, or highest-ranking sanggunian member shall perform the functions of the local chief executive. Temporary vacancies in the sanggunian are to be filled in accordance with Administrative Order No. 15 (2018), ensuring continuous delivery of public service. This directive was reiterated to all Regional Directors via memorandum dated June 30, 2025, instructing strict compliance therein.

Remulla reports significant drop in focus crimes in first half of 2025 Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic C. Remulla reported a significant drop in focus crimes, including rape, physical injuries, and robbery, from January 1 to June 6 this year, compared to the same period last year. Focus crimes are considered serious offenses that occur frequently and directly impact public safety. During the 1st Joint National Peace and Order Council and Regional Peace and Order Council (NPOC-RPOC) Meeting, Remulla said rape incidents went down by 31.85%, physical injuries by 30.21%, and robbery by 26.47%. Remulla, who is also the NPOC Chairperson, highlighted that the campaign against loose firearms resulted in the confiscation of 12,891 illegal firearms and the arrest of 5,314 individuals, 4,096 of whom are now facing charges in court. “Rest assured, this Council shall continue to explore new ways to protect our communities against crime and disorder. through our collective actions, we can fortify public safety and ensure that the rule of law prevails,” he said. A total of 22,649 anti-illegal drug operations were also carried out, resulting in the arrest of 24,148 persons and the seizure of over 200,000 grams of illegal drugs worth 2.17 billion pesos. This massive drug haul disrupted the supply chain significantly. Meanwhile, Remulla urged newly designated regional and local peace and order council chairpersons to strengthen good governance in the formulation and implementation of POC initiatives. The NPOC also adopted a resolution commending the outgoing RPOC Chairpersons who served from 2022 to 2025 for their leadership and dedication. Among those who will receive commendations are the late governors Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental and Carlos Padilla of Nueva Vizcaya, who served as RPOC Chairpersons. Also present during the meeting were National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., PNP PLTGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director General Ricardo F. De Leon, among others.

DILG reprograms barangay good governance seal program to sync with new SGLG With the ongoing recalibration of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) program, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangay (SGLGB) will also undergo reprogramming this year to ensure alignment with the newly-restructured performance framework for local governments. In 2023, the Department launched the first nationwide implementation of the SGLGB, a performance-based assessment and incentive program designed to promote transparency, accountability, and excellence in barangay governance. According to DILG, the 2025 SGLGB assessment is deferred to support the transition toward a unified, strategic, and outcome-based performance system that will cover both barangay and higher-level local government units (LGUs). Previously, the 2025 SGLG assessment was also deferred to focus on long-term solutions, measurable impact, and improved funding mechanisms. The recalibrated SGLG will now serve as the basis for improving how barangays are evaluated under the SGLGB program. Similar to the SGLG governance clusters, the Department plans to consolidate the existing core governance areas and essential governance areas of SGLGB into fiscal management, public safety, social services, and innovation for streamlined performance indicators. The new system will also follow a term-based approach, which means barangays will be given enough time to show real changes before they are assessed. The DILG wants to make sure the program is fair, realistic, and encourages lasting improvements. The DILG said the updated SGLGB guidelines will be issued within the year to guide implementation and ensure consistency in monitoring and evaluation. Barangay participation in the program grew by five percent, from 39,623 in 2023 to 41,610 in 2024. Of these, 3,283 barangays were recognized as SGLGB National Passers last year, including 663 that earned the Seal for two consecutive years.

Remulla: Unified 911 to also serve as mental health helpline Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday said the soon-to-be-launched Unified 911 Emergency System will include a helpdesk for mental health concerns. Speaking at a press briefing in Quezon City, Remulla said trained professionals from the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) will be deployed to provide psychosocial support. “Mayroon kaming counselors na kung may nararamdaman ang ating kabataan, o alam n’yong may nararamdaman kayo, pwedeng tawagan at mayroong pwedeng rumesponde,” he said. One desk in the 911 command center will be designated for mental health intervention. “Out of 50,000 calls a day ang capacity, we anticipate maybe 2% tungkol sa mental health ang tatawag dyan,” he added. The DILG Chief also said that the government will invest in communication equipment, police vehicles, and fire trucks to boost the response time of first responders. Remulla said the full nationwide rollout is targeted by August or September this year. “Kapag operate namin, magiging dispatch center yung mga LGUs,” he explained, noting that existing local emergency hubs will be tapped to ensure efficiency. Aside from mental health-related concerns, the 911 system will accept reports on crime, health emergencies, fire incidents, and other suspicious activity.

DILG: Over 77% of LGUs use Special Education Fund to build, improve classrooms In support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s priority to strengthen public education, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that 77.67 percent or 1,332 local government units (LGUs) have already utilized at least 85 percent of their Special Education Fund (SEF) for education-focused programs, activities, and projects, including the construction and improvement of classrooms. According to the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) assessment, 82.33 percent or 1,412 LGUs also implemented inclusive education initiatives such as the Madrasah program for Muslim learners. Additionally, 81.28 percent or 1,394 LGUs partnered with external stakeholders to complete education projects, while 90.32 percent or 1,549 LGUs initiated programs aligned with local education reform priorities. The SEF is sourced from the additional one percent real property tax mandated by the Local Government Code of 1991 and is allocated for education-related programs and projects. Among SEF-funded initiatives are new classrooms built in Natividad High School, San Antonio Integrated High School, and San Juan Nepomuceno Elementary School in Guagua, Pampanga. In Badiangan, Iloilo, two classroom buildings were also completed at Astorga Primary School.

DILG: Information and reading centers in barangays benefiting Filipino children and youth More children and youth in the communities benefit from the information and reading centers (IRCs) established in the barangays, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The Department said this is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s agenda on peace and progress that go hand in hand with education and inclusive governance at the grassroots level. Supporting the implementation of Section 17 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code, the DILG reiterated the need for barangays to establish their IRCs, providing early learning support, reading materials, and safe environments for children and youth. This resulted in 13,648 or 45.02 percent of barangays now having operational IRCs nationwide as of June 19, 2025, strengthening the DILG’s commitment to supporting the Department of Education (DepEd) and advancing community-based learning efforts through a unified, whole-of-government approach. Meanwhile, 5,027 or 16.58 percent of barangays have access to IRCs of either their city or municipal government or their neighboring barangays. In Caraga, Sangguniang Kabataan leaders conduct weekend reading circles in barangay basketball courts while in Region IV-A, local officials have created dedicated book corners with barangay funds and donations. Also, in Region XI, retired teachers and parent-volunteers tutor children in barangay halls converted into informal learning spaces. The DILG shared that these efforts have gone beyond one-off events and have been replicated, scaled, and sustained by neighboring communities. “What began as small initiatives have become reliable venues for education, trust building, and youth engagement,” the Department said.

Remulla: Gov’t to address safety concerns amid growing PH tourism In support of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s peace and order thrust, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday vowed to address safety concerns amid the growing Philippine tourism industry. Remulla said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration continues to work hard to ensure the country’s safety while strengthening its law enforcement institutions, aiming to support the growth of the tourism sector. “For the next few years, next few months, we’ve invested heavily to make the country one of the safest in the world,” he said during his speech on the impact of government policies on the hospitality business at the 3rd Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) Sales and Marketing Summit. According to Remulla, part of the government’s initiative in capacitating the country’s public safety is the ongoing revitalization of the unified 911 Emergency System, which is expected to be fully operational by July 2025 in select cities, including Metro Manila, Davao, and Cebu. The DILG chief also shared the plan to install  closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras across the country, placing one camera in every 1,000 square meters; and the purchase of additional patrol cars and motor vehicles for Metro Manila to ensure a five-minute response time.