An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Negros Occidental has urged local government units (LGUs) to ensure the sustainability of the “anti-epal” policy against “credit-grabbing” by passing a supplemental ordinance in their locality.

DILG-Negros Occidental Provincial Director Teodora Sumagaysay, who also sits as officer-in-charge Assistant Regional Director of DILG-NIR, cited the long-term implementation of the policy, achievable through institutionalization.

“Ang pagpadayon ukon sustainability ang yabi. Nagapati ako nga mapabakod naton ini [nga polisiya] paagi sa pagpasar sang mga lokal nga ordinansa nga nagapapanaog sang espesipiko nga mga penalidad para sa mga epal acts,” she pointed out in an interview over PIA Negros Occidental’s radio program PIA HOUR.

While Sumagaysay reported that public officials in this province have been very supportive, she said passing local legislation would solidify the anti-epal policy’s role in dismantling the “epal” culture that fosters political patronage.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), through its Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006, strictly prohibits public officials from placing their names, images, likenesses, or logos on government-funded projects.

“When a project is branded with an official’s face, it creates a debt of gratitude toward the individual. By removing these, we reinforce the idea that government service is a professional duty and that the institution, not the individual, is responsible for the welfare of the people,” she emphasized.

Taking advantage of digitalization in government, the DILG-NegOcc chief also acknowledged digital transparency as another way to sustain the policy, whereby LGUs are obliged to present to the public through digital means only relevant project details, without personal branding.

Meanwhile, to keep track of the progress of the anti-epal policy’s implementation, the DILG is using a multi-layered monitoring system through field validation performed by its field officers, reporting requirements to be complied by LGUs, and inter-agency coordination.

DILG is also coordinating with the Commission on Audit (COA) to “ensure that funds for non-compliant materials are disallowed in audit.”

With both administrative and criminal charges waiting for erring officials, Sumagaysay then encouraged the public to help monitor their local official’s compliance to the policy and report violations to the nearest DILG provincial or regional office, or the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center.

Primarily intended to take back dignity in public service, the official added, the Anti-Epal Policy frees citizens from feeling beholden toward any official for any infrastructure project, medical assistance or social service they benefit from as Filipino citizens.

“Ini nga mga proyekto amo ang inyo kwarta nga naga-obra para sa inyo … Determinado kita sa pagpasiguro nga ang tagsa ka piso nga ginagasto, isa ka piso nga ginadedikar para sa progreso sang madamo kag indi para sa kasikatan sang pila lamang.” (PIA Negros Occidental)