In line with the Department of Interior and Local Government’s ‘anti-epal’ drive– a memorandum-backed call to mitigate politicians’ credit-grabbing tendencies– some local governments have been quick to publicize compliance.
LGUS PUBLICIZE ANTI-EPAL COMPLIANCE
Days after DILG released its 'anti-epal' policy, a slew of city governments down to the barangay level immediately broadcast their proof of compliance, posting on official social media platforms images of their staff members taking down politicians’ names and taglines from government projects.
Some barangays in Bacoor City (Brgy. Molino II, Brgy. Malagasang II-B, Bagong Barangay Aniban-Dos) in Cavite were among the quick movers– filling their Facebook pages as early as February 1 (DILG’s memo was signed January 29) with snapshots of their personnel in action.
These public properties include barangay vehicles, office facades, public tents and canopies, and multipurpose covered courts– all formerly covered with names and slogans that had made the projects unmistakably associated with a political figure/clan.
The same can be said for the City Government of Imus, which posted snippets from its ‘anti-epal’ drive on February 3. Some barangays, such as Brgy. Malagasang II-B and Brgy. Carsadang Bago II, also uploaded their own versions.
Others that partook in the social media barrage of ‘anti-epal’ efforts (all publicly posted on official Facebook pages) include the City Government of Silang; Rosario, Batangas; Brgy. Corona-Tingloy, Batangas; and Sanchez Mira in Cagayan.
There also is an abundance of social media posts that show the deletion of public officials’ names, logos, and other markers from official documents and letterheads.
As promising as these wave of compliance complete with proof are, those who are active in storifying their compliance are but a drop in the bucket of countless public projects and facilities covered with political branding.
What remains to be seen is whether and how DILG would enact the ‘Anti-Epal’ memorandum’s full implementation even within far-flung areas, and the extent of enforcing the penalties stipulated in the directive.
WHAT IS THE ANTI-EPAL MEMO?
The ‘anti-epal’ policy of DILG was signed, published, and implemented on January 29, 2026 by way of Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006.
It directs all local government offices, from the provincial level all the way down to the barangay level, to remove politicians’ names and other forms of branding from government projects.
A few LGUs have been following anti-epal measures even before DILG’s 2026 circular, including Pasig City since 2022; Ragay, Camarines Sur since October 2025; and Naga City since December 2025.
This was also not the first DILG directive banning ‘epal’ materials from public projects. In 2010, the late former DILG secretary Jesse Robredo implemented a circular that banned names and images in government program signages.
Know more about the Anti-Epal Memorandum of 2026 here.
