Republic of the Philippines

DILG Requires LGUs to Coordinate with PH Embassies for International Sister-City Partnerships The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged all local government units (LGUs) to strictly coordinate with Philippine embassies, consulates, or missions when entering into international sister-city or town twinning agreements, warning against engagements that may be construed as unauthorized diplomacy. “This policy ensures that international engagements of LGUs are legitimate, and to prevent such activities from being perceived as unauthorized diplomacy.  We want to make sure that everything is in accordance with the Foreign Service and diplomatic functions of the Republic,” the DILG said in Memorandum Circular No. 2026-004.   The Circular provides additional guidelines in the implementation of international sister-city agreements to ensure that they adhere to applicable laws, rules and regulations of the Philippines. Under the directive, LGUs with upcoming international sister-city or town-twinning activities, meetings, negotiations, or MOA signings, whether to be conducted physically or virtually,  must formally coordinate with the concerned Philippine Embassy, Consulate, or Mission that has jurisdiction over the sister city’s country. Coordination must be made at least seven days before the activity and should include the proposed itinerary, agenda, list of participants, and, when applicable, a draft MOA. The requirement applies even when travel is classified as personal or non-official, provided LGU-to-LGU engagement is included in the trip. “All international sister-city activities conducted abroad must be acknowledged by the appropriate Philippine diplomatic post,” the Department emphasized, noting that this is necessary to ensure compliance with foreign service protocols and documentation standards. The circular also mandates LGUs to designate their Local Government Relations Unit (LGRU) or equivalent office to handle coordination and maintain official records of communications with diplomatic posts. Proof of prior coordination must be submitted as part of applications for Foreign Travel Authority (FTA). Sister-city agreements are recognized under the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code of 1991, which grant LGUs the authority to enter into partnerships for mutual benefit. However, the DILG stressed that such authority must be exercised responsibly. “The goal is not to restrict international cooperation, but to professionalize and safeguard it,” the DILG said. “Proper coordination protects both the LGUs and the national interest.” The memorandum applies to all provinces, cities, and municipalities with existing or planned international sister-city or town twinning partnerships.

DILG Reiterates Ban on Government Vehicle Use During Weekends and Holidays The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reiterated the strict prohibition on the use of government-owned motor vehicles during Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, except when such use is directly connected with the performance of official functions or duties. The policy, issued under Memorandum Circular No. 2026-011, covers all provincial, city, municipal, and barangay elected and appointed officials, as well as DILG Central Office, Regional and Field Office personnel, and officials and employees of DILG-attached agencies, including the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and other attached agencies. The DILG said there is a need to strengthen compliance with existing rules, particularly during non-working days, to prevent unauthorized and non-official use of government vehicles that leads to unnecessary public expenditure and undermines public trust. “Government vehicles are provided exclusively to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of public service. Their use is a privilege anchored on public trust,” the Department said. “Any unauthorized use, especially for personal purposes during weekends and holidays, runs contrary to the principles of accountability, integrity, and modest living expected of public servants,” it added. The issuance is anchored on existing laws and regulations, including the 1987 Constitution, Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the Administrative Code of 1987, relevant Commission on Audit Circulars, and Administrative Order No. 239, all of which mandate that government vehicles be used strictly for official business. Under the Circular, heads of agencies, offices, bureaus, and services are directed to ensure the widest dissemination of the policy within their respective jurisdictions and to enforce strict compliance. The DILG warned that any violation of the Circular shall subject the offender to administrative and/or criminal liability in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations.

DILG: Over 12.8M Filipinos benefit from SBDP projects in insurgency-cleared areas Some 12.786 million residents in insurgency-cleared barangays nationwide have benefited from completed infrastructure projects funded under the Local Government Support Fund – Support to the Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) from 2022-2025, said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The DILG said boosting support on infrastructure and development remains one of the integral factors in strengthening Local Government Units (LGUs), especially for barangays in geographically-isolated and conflict-affected areas (GICAs).  Since 2021, a total of 6,124 projects, ranging from farm-to-market roads to indigency assistance worth P30.402-billion, have been completed nationwide through the program, highlighting its sustained impact on far-flung communities nationwide. In 2025, the DILG reported significant progress on SBDP Implementation, with 790 projects implemented in 780 insurgency-cleared barangays that were not covered in previous years.  Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allocated ₱188.3 million for LGUs under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), including funds for the LGSF, to support local development, livelihoods, and community resilience. The DILG reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustained monitoring of LGSF-SBDP projects to guarantee that public funds are fully utilized and translated into meaningful outcomes for barangay residents

ANTI-EPAL DRIVE: DILG Orders Immediate Removal of Officials’ Names and Images from Government Projects The Department of the Interior and Local Government has ordered the strict nationwide enforcement of the Anti-Epal policy, directing all local government units and DILG offices to immediately remove the names, images, and likenesses of public officials from all government funded projects, programs, activities, and properties. Under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006, all provincial, city, municipal, and barangay officials, including DILG central, regional, and field offices and attached agencies, are required to ensure that no public official’s name, photo, logo, initials, color motif, slogan, or any identifying symbol appears on project signages, markers, tarpaulins, and similar materials funded by public money. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla stressed that government projects are paid for by the people and must never be used for personal promotion. Government programs are not personal billboards. These are funded by taxpayers and must reflect public service, not political credit grabbing. The Circular cites the 1987 Constitution’s principle that public office is a public trust, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Commission on Audit rules that classify such personalized displays as unnecessary expenses. It is further reinforced by the 2026 General Appropriations Act which explicitly prohibits attaching officials’ names and images to government funded projects. All concerned officials and employees are directed to cause the immediate removal and correction of non-compliant materials. Heads of offices are accountable for full and prompt compliance, as well as for cascading the directive to all units under their supervision. The DILG also reiterated the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to keep government projects free from political self-promotion and personality branding, and encouraged citizens to report violations of the Anti-Epal policy. Public funds are for public service. Not for personal publicity.

DILG’s LGA RAMPING UP PREPS FOR BNEO AHEAD OF BSKE This early, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)’s Local Government Academy ( LGA) is ramping up preparations for the Barangay Newly Elected Officials (BNEO) Program ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled on November 6. During the DILG Kapihan media forum held at the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) Head Office in Quezon City, the Local Government Academy (LGA), represented by Asst. Director Daphne Purnell, said preparations are underway for the BNEO by ensuring that DILG regional offices and partner institutions are ready to train newly elected barangay officials by January 2027. Printed reference materials will also be distributed to barangays and local functionaries. “Ito ay isang programa na term-based. Ibig sabihin, magsisimula po sa orientation pero merong mga localized at needs-based training programs din na iko-conduct,” she said, stating that BNEO build on the gains of the LGA’s NEO PLUS program, which covered all local government units nationwide in 2025. NEO PLUS is a term-based training program for elected local officials aimed at strengthening leadership competencies and policy-making performance to improve service delivery. For 2026, the LGA said the program will shift toward specialized interventions tailored to the mandates of LGU officials, while closely monitoring the implementation of action plans developed during the 2025 sessions. Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12232, which postponed the BSKE to the first Monday of November 2026 and extended the term of office of barangay and SK officials to four years. The LGA said sustained capacity development remains a priority to ensure barangay officials are prepared to deliver responsive and effective services following the BSKE.

DILG: Over 38K Barangays Compliant with Full Disclosure Policy The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday reported that 97.7% or 38,523 barangays nationwide are compliant with the Barangay Full Disclosure Policy (BFDP),  the highest in Philippine history. Launched in 2019, the BFDP requires LGUs to disclose quarterly financial documents in at least three visible locations within the barangay. Reports include Barangay Budget; Summary of Income and Expenditures; 20% of NTA Utilization; Annual Procurement Plan; List of Notices of Award; and Itemized Monthly Collections. At the other LGU levels, 79 provinces, 142 cities, and 1,408 municipalities are likewise fully compliant with the FDP. Speaking at the DILG Kapihan, DILG National Barangay Operations Office Director Dennis D. Villaseñor summarized the Department’s 2025 accomplishments as MAKAMASA (Malinis na Kagawaran, Matibay na Sandigan ng Mamamayan) at TAMA (Tapat at Mahusay na Pamamahala). “There was a demand last year for accountability and effective response to disasters at kami sa DILG ay masayang magsasabi na ang compliance level ng ating mga local government units mula sa mga barangay, lungsod, bayan, at lalawigan ay pinakamataas sa kasaysayan,” Villaseñor said. He explained that the policy covers LGU budgets, procurement, and supplier awards, forming the foundation for transparent, accountable, participatory, and effective local governance. Aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s digitalization mandate, Villaseñor noted that 1,147 cities and municipalities now comply with new and renewal business permits, 1,143 have automated business permit processes, and 440 comply with building permit reforms. Over 1,000 barangays have adopted e-payment systems for utilities. Other improvements include: automated linking of barangay clearances in Business One-Stop-Shops (BOSS) for business, building, and telco permits: and Barangay Information Management System (BIMS) for profiles, certifications, Katarungang Pambarangay, ordinances, disaster resilience, GAD, and asset management.

DILG’s ECCDC to Expand Access to Early Childhood Care Programs in Barangays In its first year under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Early Childhood Care and Development Council (ECCDC) is stepping up efforts to expand access to early childhood programs and improve service quality across Local Government Units (LGUs). At the recent DILG KAPIHAN: Talakayan sa Komunidad at Pamahalaang Lokal, the ECCDC highlighted plans to ensure all barangays, especially low-income areas, have access to Child Development Centers, following directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Currently, 78,000 ECD Centers serve 42,011 barangays nationwide, but not all meet child-friendly standards, a gap the ECCDC aims to address. Initiatives include converting daycare centers into full Child Development Centers, enhancing the National Early Learning Curriculum aligned with the Department of Education, and helping LGUs access resources through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). The ECCDC also seeks to strengthen the skills of Child Development Workers and create plantilla positions to professionalize early childhood care. “We all know that the ECCD Program is a program of the Local Government Units. So I think that partnership, now under the umbrella ng DILG, mas nagkakaroon kami ng connection doon sa local government,” ECCDC said. ECCDC expressed appreciation to the DILG Chief and attached agencies, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring Filipino children stay on track in early education.

DILG DIRECTS BFP TO IMPLEMENT BODY-WORN CAMERA USE IN FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS In line with the directive of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has implemented the mandatory use of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) during fire safety inspections nationwide. Under the policy, fire safety inspections are recorded from start to finish. Recording begins upon issuance of the body-worn camera at the fire station and continues during travel, the actual inspection, discussion of findings, and until the camera is formally turned over to the station custodian. Upon arrival at an establishment, the Fire Safety Enforcer states on video their name and rank, location, date and time, nature of inspection, and the name of the establishment. The owner or representative is informed that the inspection is being recorded and may also take their own video. Establishment owners may request, in writing, a copy of the inspection video within seven working days from the date of inspection through the City or Municipal Fire Marshal with jurisdiction. The policy reiterates that Fire Safety Enforcers are strictly prohibited from recommending, selling, or endorsing any particular brand of fire safety equipment, in accordance with the Fire Code of the Philippines and the Ease of Doing Business law. During the inspection, the body-worn camera documents fire exits, fire safety equipment, and other required safety measures, including the explanation of findings. For non-compliant establishments, inspectors are required to clearly explain deficiencies, required corrective actions, and possible penalties, all of which are recorded. Fire Safety Enforcers are personally accountable for the proper use of body-worn cameras. Any unjustified failure to record, interruption of recording, or tampering with recorded footage constitutes misconduct. After the inspection, recorded videos are turned over to the station custodian and uploaded to a secured system within 24 hours. Inspectors are prohibited from accessing, editing, deleting, or manipulating the recordings once turned over. The DILG said the policy aims to ensure consistency, accountability, and proper documentation in the conduct of fire safety inspections. The BFP affirmed its full implementation of the directive in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

Consistent with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to ban political involvement in government projects, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday urged the public to report “epal” local leaders who post their names alongside government-funded programs. In a press briefing, Remulla said the anti-epal guidelines are already in effect and must be strictly followed. He added that citizen participation is crucial in countering this political culture. “Ang anti-epal guidelines naman ay klaro na, [kaya] kapag may violation ang mga politician ay pwede na picturan at ipost sa Facebook at aming iimbestigahan,” he explained. It is underscored that, under the guidelines of the Commission on Audit (COA), public notices should only contain the project title, start date, contractor, and target completion date, among others. Remulla said the success of the anti-epal campaign relies heavily on public involvement and participation. “Ireport nila para aming maimbestigahan.” Section 20 of Republic Act No. 12314, or the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), prohibits the display or affixing of the name, picture, image, motto, logo, color motif, initials, or any other symbol or graphic representation associated with any public official—whether elected or appointed—on signboards for all government programs, properties, and projects. The DILG, through Memorandum Circular 2010-101, likewise bans the inclusion of names, initials, images, or pictures of government officials on billboards and signages of government programs, projects, and properties .

With major allocations in the 2026 national budget for local government units (LGUs), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla today underscored the push for stronger and more accountable LGUs that are better positioned to respond more effectively to the needs of their communities. This aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s priority to empower LGUs for more effective public service delivery. In a Malacañang press briefing alongside Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro and Department of Budget and Management Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo today, Remulla emphasized that LGUs can restore public trust amid the irregularities in past national projects such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s flood control program. “Ang ating Pangulo ay nagbigay ng bagong prayoridad para sa local government. Tinatama niya ang mali sa DPWH, tinatama niya ang mali sa national government, at pinapalakas niya ang lokal na gobyerno,” he said. He added, “Ito ang kakayahan ng local government at ng Local Government Code. Sa ilalim ng ating Pangulo, pinalakas niya ito. Binigyan niya ng pondo, at binigyan niya ng tiwala na ang local government mismo ang siyang mag-uusad ng national development.” The DILG Chief cited his experience in Cavite where an LGU constructed 16 classrooms for an estimated ₱21.5 million, compared to a similar DPWH project that cost ₱36 million—a difference of 40 to 50 percent. He stressed that empowering LGUs reduces inefficiencies and strengthens accountability. “Naniniwala ako na habang may reforms na ginagawa ang DPWH, ang local government ang best venue para makuha natin ang maximum benefit para sa mga tao,” he said. Remulla also highlighted the importance of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), a national government fund under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) that provides financial assistance to LGUs for eligible priority projects. The LGSF supports service delivery and local development while utilizing digital submission systems to promote efficiency, transparency, and standardization—reinforcing the core principle that public funds must serve a public purpose and be delivered through accountable systems. Under the ₱6.793 trillion national budget for 2026, LGUs will receive a ₱1.19 trillion share in the National Tax Allotment, ₱57.87 billion in Local Government Support Fund, Growth Equity Fund for low-income and resource-constrained LGUs, and a ₱15.33 billion allocation for disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction, among others.