Republic of the Philippines

DILG-NYC launches nationwide cyber shield training for Filipino youth The Department of the Interior and Local Government’s National Youth Commission (NYC)  is set to roll out nationwide training programs to help young Filipinos become more resilient online and better prepared to deal with digital threats. Speaking during the monthly DILG Kapihan in Quezon City, NYC Chairperson Jeffrey Ortega said the initiative, in partnership with Meta, will bring capacity-building programs to different regions focused on digital literacy, identifying fake accounts, and properly reporting harmful online content. Ortega said the effort is part of a wider push to protect Filipino youth in the digital space, where misinformation, scams, harassment, and manipulation continue to grow. He added that direct coordination channels are already in place so reports involving online abuse and threats can be acted on quickly. “The minute somebody is fighting our youth, you can go to us and we will address that online,” he said. Ortega stressed that building digital resilience has become more urgent as disinformation and foreign interference continue to target online platforms. He said an informed, responsible, and well-equipped youth sector is essential to the country’s future. “The only way for us to ensure na may continuity tayo is dapat resilient tayo, well-educated,” Ortega said. Beyond cyberspace, Ortega also reminded young leaders seeking public office to be ready to deliver real results. “Kung tatakbo kayo ng SK, siguraduhin n’yo na ma-deliver n’yo lahat ng mga kailangang i-deliver bilang SK.” He urged the youth to take an active role in nation-building not only during elections, but in everyday civic life. “The type of quality and youth that we need is somebody na nakikialam… hindi lang sa election pero sa bagay-bagay na ginagawa natin sa pang-araw-araw. If you really want to reform the Philippines, then be the hope.”

NO SHAME IN SEEKING HELP: DILG, NYC urge youth to reach out The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), together with the National Youth Commission (NYC), on Thursday urged young Filipinos facing mental health struggles to seek support through Mental Health Youth Hubs operating nationwide. The call supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to place youth well-being at the center of national development. Speaking at the DILG Kapihan, NYC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Francisco R. Ortega said many young people in barangays stay silent because they fear being judged or talked about. “May mga kabataan na nagsa-suffer sa mental health sa mga barangay, minsan nahihiya silang pumunta sa mga barangay health units nila kasi kilala ang pamilya nila, natsi-tsismis sila,” he said. He urged those who need help to contact the Commission so support can reach them directly. “We encourage you, punta kayo sa amin, sa area offices ng NYC, contact us, then we’ll find a way to go to you to ensure you have somebody to talk to,” Ortega added. He explained that the Mental Health Youth Hub is not a single physical center, but a network of trained volunteers mobilized by the NYC to provide counseling and support, especially in communities that request assistance. According to Ortega, the Commission institutionalized and funds the program so it can reach more young people, including those in remote areas where access to mental health services remains limited. He also stressed that mental health struggles do not discriminate.  “Ang mental health po ay hindi pinipili kung mayaman ka o mahirap… old or young. Everybody is going through mental health.” Ortega added that amid the growing number of youth and student suicides linked to bullying, the NYC is set to launch the country’s first Anti-Bullying Summit in 2027. 

DILG urges LGUs to expand OFW, MAIN desks to protect workers from illegal recruiters With many repatriated Filipinos still hoping to work abroad again, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units (LGUs) to accelerate the creation of Migrant Advisory and Information Network (MAIN) and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) desks to help protect job seekers from illegal recruiters. The move supports the directive of President  Ferdinand Marcos,  Jr. for LGUs to assist families affected by sudden job losses caused by the Middle East crisis through financial aid and livelihood support. Based on DILG data, 645 out of 1,724 LGUs nationwide have already established MAIN and OFW desks. Provincial governments posted a 64.63 percent compliance rate, followed by cities at 56.76 percent and municipalities at 34.19 percent. The DILG said repatriated OFWs planning to seek work overseas again may coordinate with their local MAIN desks for help in identifying suspicious recruiters, reporting illegal job offers, and preventing possible trafficking attempts. MAIN desks were first established to localize the implementation of Republic Act No. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. They were created to handle trafficking-related cases, conduct public awareness campaigns, and document recruitment schemes targeting residents in local communities. Through these desks, LGUs can also strengthen protection for OFWs by coordinating with local Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) to detect illegal recruiters, and with city or municipal social welfare offices to provide recovery and rehabilitation services for trafficking victim-survivors and their families. The DILG also cited its memorandum of agreement with the Department of Migrant Workers to expand OFW help desks nationwide and intensify the Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons campaign at the local level. The Department said it remains firm in the fight against trafficking and illegal recruitment, while empowering LGUs to help Filipinos pursue safer and more dignified opportunities abroad.

DILG: LGU Councils Cannot Hold Sessions Outside Their Jurisdiction The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday reminded all local government units (LGUs) that regular and special sanggunian sessions cannot be conducted outside their territorial jurisdiction, stressing that local legislation must remain accessible to the people it serves. The Department said sanggunian sessions are official legislative proceedings of the LGU and, as a general rule, must be held within the locality, as provided under the Local Government Code. Conducting sessions elsewhere undermines public access to deliberations and decisions that directly affect residents. The Department added that sessions held beyond an LGU’s jurisdiction may be questioned before the proper courts and could expose responsible officials to appropriate administrative liability. The DILG, however, recognized limited exceptions in extraordinary and compelling circumstances, including force majeure, natural or human-induced calamities, public emergencies, and serious threats to safety or security within the LGU. In such cases, any temporary alternative venue must remain open and reasonably accessible to the public and all sanggunian members. Proceedings must also be properly recorded, documented, and reflected in the official minutes. In a separate reminder, the DILG emphasized that the vice governor or vice mayor, as presiding officers of their respective sanggunian bodies, must be counted in determining quorum to avoid legal questions on the validity of deliberations and enacted measures. At the barangay level, the punong barangay, as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Barangay, must likewise be included in determining quorum. The Department said these rules uphold transparency, legal order, and the people’s right to witness how local decisions are made.

SAFER CITIES GAINS GROUND: Remulla Says Program Still Evolving as 68,257 Violations Logged in First Week The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said the Safer Cities initiative is a continuing work in progress, with stronger guidelines and operational improvements now being refined as implementation moves forward. Speaking at a press briefing in Camp Crame, DILG Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla said discussions with officials of the Philippine National Police will focus on firming up policies and enhancing enforcement protocols. “Nevertheless, the Safer Cities initiative has begun, and it will progress. It will progress to other forms of making the city safer, which I will announce in the next few weeks as we perfect this,” Remulla said. He added that new measures and upgrades under the program will be rolled out in the coming weeks. The DILG chief also announced that by the end of April, a comparative study will be conducted to assess focused crime data from April 2024 and 2025 against April 2026, with initial reports already indicating a decline in crime incidents. From April 6 to 12, the PNP recorded a total of 68,257 apprehensions under the Safer Cities initiative. Top violations logged were drinking and smoking in public places with 20,804 cases, roaming streets without shirts with 6,156 cases, minors violating curfew hours with 5,789 cases, and use of karaoke beyond allowed hours with 1,344 cases. Other violations reached 34,164 cases. Remulla clarified that the initiative is not intended to punish ordinary workers, but to restore order, discipline, and mutual respect in public spaces. “Katulad ng nagtatrabaho lang, puwedeng consideration. Pero ‘pag pauwi, nakikita ninyo nakatambay lang sila sa kanto na walang T-shirt silang mga grupo. Magsando man lang,” he said. “There is a very small price to pay for civility. Ang gusto ko lang po, ang tanging hangarin ko, ay kaayusan sa ating mga kalye,” he added. The Safer Cities initiative supports the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to build safer and more orderly communities by strengthening law enforcement not only to reduce crime, but to ensure that Filipinos feel secure in their daily lives. Remulla also acknowledged lapses during the initial rollout of the Safer Metro Manila plan, citing an incident in Mandaluyong where a resident in Barangay Addition Hills mixing cement was mistakenly apprehended. He said operational adjustments are being undertaken to ensure enforcement remains fair, reasonable, and focused on genuine public safety concerns.

DILG TO LGUs: STEP UP FOR CHILDREN AS 2026 GOVERNANCE AUDIT BEGINS The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is calling on local government units (LGUs) nationwide to further strengthen programs and strategies that promote and protect children’s welfare, as the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) 2026 officially rolls out. The initiative reinforces the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for LGUs to prioritize children in governance by integrating child-focused interventions into local development plans and service delivery. The DILG emphasized that the CFLGA serves as a key performance mechanism that measures how effectively LGUs translate policies into outcomes that directly benefit children. The audit covers five core areas: survival, development, protection, participation, and governance. “This is about making sure that our policies reach the ground and improve the everyday lives of our children,” the Department underscored. Recent data reflect steady gains. In 2025, there was a 21.9 percent increase in LGUs that passed the CFLGA, indicating broader alignment with child-friendly governance standards. For 2026, LGUs are required to achieve at least an 81 percent overall rating and meet the same benchmark across all five areas to pass the audit, raising expectations for consistent and balanced performance. At the barangay level, the CFLGA will now be implemented under the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays, ensuring that child-centered governance is strengthened at the community level. With the audit already underway, the DILG is encouraging LGUs to actively participate and sustain efforts, particularly in improving nutrition, access to basic services, and protective systems for children. The Department stressed that investing in children is a direct investment in the country’s future, and that effective local governance plays a central role in ensuring that no child is left behind.

“NO EXCUSES ON TURNOVER”: DILG URGES EARLY INVENTORY PREPARATIONS FOR BARANGAYS, SKs Months ahead of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed all barangay and SK officials nationwide to begin early inventory and turnover preparations to ensure seamless governance at the grassroots. Issued through Memorandum Circular No. 2026-021, the directive reinforces President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push for accountability across all levels of government and aims to prevent disruptions in basic services during the transition of leadership in November. “All barangay and SK officials must fully account for properties, financial records, documents, and money accountabilities before the assumption of newly elected officials,” the Department said. To institutionalize the process, Punong Barangays are instructed to organize Barangay Inventory Teams (BITs), composed of barangay officials and community representatives, to oversee the documentation and turnover of all assets and records. SK Chairpersons are likewise directed to form SK Inventory Teams (SKITs), ensuring youth sector accountability is upheld. These teams will conduct both initial and final inventories and will work closely with City and Municipal Assessment and Transition Teams to guarantee compliance and provide operational support throughout the transition period. The directive is anchored on existing laws, including Presidential Decree No. 1445, the Local Government Code of 1991, and the SK Reform Act of 2015, all of which mandate proper management, documentation, and safeguarding of government resources. The DILG warned that failure to properly turn over government properties and accountabilities may result in administrative and legal liability under existing laws, rules, and regulations. The Department emphasized that a complete and transparent turnover is critical to ensuring continuity in public service and maintaining trust in local governance. “Transitions should not interrupt service. This is about making sure every incoming official can continue delivering for their community from day one,” the Department added. The BSKE is scheduled on the first Monday of November 2026.

DILG urges LGUs to expand fitness spaces, adopt car-free Sundays for healthier communities The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is encouraging local government units (LGUs) to strengthen initiatives that promote active and healthy lifestyles by organizing community fitness activities, expanding green public spaces, and adopting car-free Sundays. The call supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize the health and well-being of Filipinos amid the rising number of overweight adults in the country. Data from the 2023 National Nutrition Survey shows that four in every ten Filipino adults are now classified as overweight or obese. Through a recently issued Memorandum Circular, the DILG recommended that LGUs organize accessible outdoor activities such as fun runs, Zumba sessions, and community sports events to encourage citizens to remain physically active. The Department also urged local governments to develop and maintain green public spaces such as parks, plazas, and open areas where residents can safely exercise and spend time outdoors. These spaces should include accessible pathways and ramps to ensure that senior citizens and persons with disabilities can fully participate in community activities. To further promote safe and convenient spaces for physical activity, LGUs are also encouraged to implement Car-Free Sundays, where selected roads are temporarily closed to vehicles and opened for pedestrians, joggers, cyclists, and other recreational users. To minimize traffic disruption, the DILG recommended that LGUs implement proper rerouting plans for motorists. Several cities including Metro Manila, Baguio, Iloilo City, and Davao City have already adopted car-free initiatives, providing residents with safer and more open spaces for exercise and community engagement. The DILG is also encouraging LGUs to integrate health and wellness initiatives into their local development plans to ensure that programs promoting active lifestyles are sustained in the long term. Regional Directors have likewise been directed to support and monitor these initiatives as part of broader efforts to promote healthier communities and improve the quality of life of Filipinos across the country.

Children First: DILG Launches 2026 Child-Friendly Governance Audit for LGUs The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched the 2026 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA), calling on cities and municipalities across the country to further strengthen programs and services that protect and promote the welfare of Filipino children. The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the health, education, safety, and overall development of the country’s youth as part of securing the Philippines’ long-term development. In a memorandum circular, the DILG said LGUs will be assessed across five key areas: survival, development, protection, participation, and governance. These cover programs supporting children’s health and nutrition, access to quality education, child protection systems, youth participation, and local policies that uphold children’s rights. To pass the audit, LGUs must score at least 80 percent in each category and achieve an overall rating of 80 percent or higher. Evaluations will be based on programs implemented in 2025, with data submitted through the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance Knowledge Management System from March to April 2026, followed by validation at the provincial, regional, and national levels. Results of the audit will determine which LGUs qualify for the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG), conferred by the Council for the Welfare of Children. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the audit reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that every Filipino child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment. “When local governments invest in children, they are investing in the future of their communities. Child-friendly governance means ensuring that every child is healthy, protected, educated, and given the opportunity to participate in shaping the communities they will one day lead,” Remulla said. The CFLGA is a mandatory, results-based audit that evaluates how LGUs deliver programs and systems enabling children to access essential services and grow up in safe, supportive communities. It also guides LGUs in planning and implementing programs that ensure children receive inclusive services and protection from poverty through child-rights-responsive governance. Since its inception, the CFLGA has yielded strong results and public approval. In 2025, a total of 1,090 LGUs passed the audit, a 21.9 percent increase from the 895 passers recorded in 2024. “Great job to the LGUs! Prioritizing child-friendly governance ensures a brighter and safer future for our youth,” one netizen commented. “Nakaka-proud makita ang commitment ng mga lokal na pamahalaan na unahin ang survival, development, protection, at participation ng mga bata,” another netizen said. The DILG clarified that barangays will not be independently assessed under the CFLGA, as the barangay-level evaluation is implemented through the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays.

CORRUPTION CUTS FIRETRUCK SUPPLY, WORSENS BFP GAP — REMULLA The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that anomalies in firetruck procurement have significantly worsened the equipment shortage of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), limiting the government’s capacity to respond to emergencies nationwide. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that the BFP’s current deficit of around 600 firetrucks is partly driven by overpriced contracts and alleged bid rigging in recent years, which reduced the number of units that could have been procured for public safety. “Because of corruption and overpricing, we could have already procured an additional 400 fire trucks,” Remulla said, underscoring how irregularities directly translate to fewer resources on the ground. He stressed that while demand from local government units remains high, internal reforms must come first to ensure that every peso is used properly. “Sa akin, tiis-tiis muna tayo. Isasara ko muna ‘yung gripo sa loob ng BFP, aayusin ko lahat ‘yan, tapos bibili na tayo ng fire trucks,” he said. “Ang karma lalabas sa mga anak mo. Wala sa dibdib ko (gawin ito), lima ang anak ko, na yung ipapakain ko sa kanila, yung pera, galing dito sa corruption na ‘to,” he added, noting that he had previously been offered a kickback of P1.5 million per firetruck. As reforms continue within the BFP, the DILG is now moving to rebuild the Bureau’s operational capacity and close long-standing resource gaps. “So ngayon, hopefully itong 2026 makaka-procure kami. I think we’re targeting 300 trucks this year and 300 trucks next year,” Remulla said. The Department emphasized that strengthening accountability in procurement is critical not only to restoring public trust, but to ensuring that emergency responders are properly equipped to save lives when it matters most.