CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — Public support for the order by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to remove political branding on government properties has remained positive in the CALABARZON region.
Under the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006, the Anti-Epal Drive requires all provincial, city, municipal, and barangay officials, including DILG central, regional, and field offices and attached agencies, to ensure that no public official’s name, photo, logo, initials, color motif, slogan, or any identifying symbol appears on project signage, markers, tarpaulins, and similar materials funded by public money.
In Cavite, Governor Francis Gabriel Remulla has ordered the removal of all existing signage, tarpaulins, and other materials of the Provincial Government that violate the DILG policy.
He has also enlisted the help of barangays in the province-wide clearing effort.
Likewise, the City Government of Biñan in Laguna began taking down signage and tarpaulins bearing the faces and names of its local officials in a city-wide clearing operation earlier this month.
Other local government units have also expressed support for the policy, having passed similar ordinances even before the DILG order.
In an interview, Ariel Iglesia, Regional Director for DILG Region IV-A, emphasized that the Anti-Epal policy complements its environment-centered programs and promotes discipline, environmental responsibility, and a focus on public service delivery rather than personal or political promotion.
Iglesia added, “The initiative underscores responsible governance by encouraging LGUs to focus on service delivery, sustainability, and community welfare rather than individual recognition.”
Iglesia noted that by removing personal posters, political signage, and names from government properties and projects, the Anti-Epal policy focuses on transparency and accountability to discourage partisanship and politicking before the election campaign period.
“By removing personalized branding from government projects, the policy helps curb premature campaigning and reduces the use of public resources for partisan purposes, fostering a more level political playing field.”
The Anti-Epal policy also supports the DILG’s environment-centered programs such as the Kalinisan convergence initiative which uses the ‘bayanihan culture’ by empowering LGUs and citizens to promote a cleaner, healthier, and safer environment.
Home to around 9.7 million voters—the highest in the country, the CALABARZON region expressed positive views toward the Anti-Epal policy, with many expressing their support for the initiative.
Iglesia also noted that the public understood the merits of the policy and prompted discussion on various fora.
“The removal of personalized signages has been viewed as a reaffirmation that public projects are funded by taxpayers and should not be used for political promotion. While there are isolated expressions of concerns for some sectors, public discourse largely reflects an understanding of the policy’s intent and its alignment with the principle that public office is a public trust.” (PB-PIA CALABARZON)
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