DILG says Isko doing 'good' so far in Manila; urges others to remove 'epal' signs

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso's recent order to remove signs bearing names of "epal" politicians earned praise from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

"Hindi talaga dapat ilagay ang pangalan ng isang politiko sa anumang... government structure, or equipment, or transportation, for that matter. Bawal po 'yan," DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Wednesday.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Moreno said he directed the Manila City School Board to remove the names of politicians, including his, from all public schools in the city.

According to Densing, Moreno's move against "epal" or publicity-conscious politicians was "something everybody should be doing."

"In fact sa sobrang galing ng kanyang ginagawa, napupunahan tuloy ang ibang mga mayor na walang ginagawa. So nahuhuli na ho natin 'yan," he added.

The DILG official also urged the public to report erring local officials who could be held liable for gross neglect of duty.

"'Yung ating mga kababayan, ine-encourage din natin na 'yung kanilang mayor 'pag wala hong ginagawa ay puwede po silang mag-report para matignan po natin kung talagang (hindi) po (nila) ginagawa ang kanilang trabaho bilang mayor," Densing said.

"Kasi puwede silang makasuhan ng gross neglect of duty kung hindi nila ginagawa 'yung kanilang trabaho."

So far, so good

Moreno, who is just over a week into his mayoralty, has made a number of headlines for his action on various issues in Manila.

Apart from bearing his anti-"epal" initiative, Moreno has also spoken up about former city administrations that allegedly benefited from bribery.

He also spearheaded cleanup and anti-traffic drives, as well as efforts to clear Divisoria and Quiapo of illegal vendors.

"So far, so good naman si Mayor Isko Moreno," Densing said.

"Puwede nating sabihin na ginawa niya ang kanyang katungkulan (sa) first seven or eight days niyang mayor sa isang lungsod," the undersecretary added.

"Sa lungsod ng Maynila, 'yan po ang ating kapitolyo, so mukhang in order po 'yung pagko-congratulate sa kanya sa kanyang first seven or eight days in office." —Margaret Claire Layug/KG, GMA News