Cebu officials back 'anti-epal' policy

Local

LOCAL government officials in Cebu have rallied behind the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Anti-Epal policy, saying they already practice or will strictly enforce the ban on personal branding in government-funded projects.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro and Vice Gov. Glenn Anthony Soco publicly supported the policy, which discourages public officials from placing their names, photos, or personal branding on state-funded programs, materials, and infrastructure.

The measure aims to reinforce accountability and prevent the use of public resources for self-promotion.

In an interview on Wednesday, Feb. 4, Soco said he could not speak for other offices but stressed that his office already implements programs and projects without leaving behind large tarpaulins bearing officials’ names after turnovers.

He said his office clearly identifies projects as coming from a specific government office, but avoids attaching personal names once the turnover is completed.

He explained that while proponents of certain programs may still need to be present during turnovers, he opposes naming projects after individual politicians.

Soco said projects should be identified as initiatives of the Cebu Provincial Government or the Office of the Vice Governor to ensure accountability, rather than being branded as personal programs.

Soco added that claiming ownership of programs through personal displays goes against the principles of good governance.

“But to own the program, by putting your name solely and imohang nawng diha, especially if you leave it there dili na sad [na maayo]. If dunay policy, we will abide by the policy by DILG,” he said, while calling for clear guidelines on its implementation.

In a separate interview, Baricuatro said the province will comply with the directive and emphasized adherence to national regulations.

“They have to follow what's the regulation of the national agency. It won't be a problem with me because I've never one who supports the Epal-thing, putting the faces their on the projects but i welcome it,” she said.

In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival expressed full support for the DILG directive, saying the city government has long observed the principles behind the policy.

He said Cebu City has never practiced placing officials’ names on government projects.

Archival said the city has consistently prohibited the display of officials’ names on public projects and city-owned vehicles, noting that the policy was already in place even before the DILG formally issued its directive.

He also encouraged members of the City Council to support the measure, saying it aligns with the DILG’s broader push for good governance.

Last week, Cebu City Councilor Sisinio “Bebs” Andales filed a proposed Anti-Epal Ordinance that seeks to prohibit public officials from placing their names, images, logos, or other personal identifiers on government-funded projects, facilities, vehicles, and public properties.

The proposal aims to curb self-promotion and emphasize that public projects should be credited to institutions and taxpayers rather than individual personalities.

The DILG earlier issued a nationwide directive ordering all government offices and local government units to immediately remove names, photos, and likenesses of public officials from state-funded projects.

The memorandum circular, posted on the agency’s official social media platforms on January 31, cited the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, Commission on Audit regulations, and the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which prohibit attaching officials’ names or images to government-funded projects.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said government initiatives should never serve as tools for personal promotion, stressing that public funds must be used strictly for public service rather than personal publicity.(MyTVCebu)