Barangays in Dagupan City have started removing the names and images of local officials from government-funded projects, as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) tightens enforcement of its so-called “anti-epal” policy nationwide.

The move follows the implementation of DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006, which bans the display of names, photos and other identifiers of public officials on projects paid for with public funds. The policy aims to prevent government programs from being used as personal promotion platforms.

Several barangays in Dagupan have already complied by changing official documents and displays. Barangay Bolosan is among those that adopted a new format for barangay certificates, removing the names of barangay officials from the documents.

The policy is also being pushed across Pangasinan province, according to DILG officials.

“Expected na ’yung ating mga LGUs, sisimulan na ’yung pagtanggal ng kanilang mga mukha, pangalan, sa iba-ibang mga proyekto, mga on-going, completed na mga projects diyan,” DILG-Pangasinan Director Gerald Gallardo said.

Gallardo said the removal process may take time, especially for existing structures, as agencies must follow proper guidelines.

“Siguro in a short period of time, puwede nilang maalis ’yan. Pero kapag marami, mayroon din tayong mga susundin na mga policies and guidelines kasi di naman puwedeng gibain mo na lang agad-agad ’yung isang existing property kapag nandoon ’yung pangalan o image ng isang politiko,” he said.

The DILG said the policy is supported by provisions of the 1987 Constitution, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Commission on Audit regulations. The agency stressed that public projects should serve citizens, who fund them through taxes.

Residents like Anastacia Gonzales welcomed the change.

“Mas maganda po ’yun kasi hindi na kinakailangan na lagyan pa ng tarpaulin para makita na sila ang gumawa,” Gonzales said.

Gallardo said the policy also aims to remove the notion that people owe personal gratitude to politicians for public projects.

“At the end of the day, people’s money pa rin ito. Matanggal na rin ’yung iniisip ng tao na magkaroon ng utang na loob sa isang politiko because project niya ito,” he said.