ILOILO — Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is ordering barangay officials and local chief executives (LCEs) across Iloilo Province to stop displaying the names and faces of politicians on government-funded projects, signaling a stricter, province-wide push to enforce the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) anti-epal policy.
Defensor said he will issue formal advisories directing local officials to fully comply with DILG Memorandum Circular 2026-006, following public declarations of support by several mayors who have already begun removing their tarpaulins, images, logos, and slogans from public infrastructure and programs.
“Wala man kita na-anad nga magbutang sang ngalan ko,” Defensor said in an interview, insisting that he has never instructed anyone to post his name or image on government projects during his years as provincial board member, congressman, and now governor.
He clarified that while there were instances where tarpaulins bearing his name or photo appeared during inaugurations, these were initiatives of barangay officials or local executives expressing gratitude, not something he directed.
But with the new DILG memorandum, however, Defensor said such practices would no longer be allowed.
Defensor noted that the prohibition against placing politicians’ names, faces, or logos on public projects is not new, recalling similar standing orders during his term as congressman.
He added that even before the new memorandum, the provincial government had already been instructing barangays and local government units not to include phrases such as “through the effort of Defensor” in projects funded by the province.
Several Iloilo mayors have since publicly declared immediate compliance.
Barotac Nuevo’s Mayor Bryant Paul Biron announced that he had already issued orders enforcing the anti-epal policy throughout his municipality “in compliance with DILG Memorandum 2026-006.”
He directed all LGU offices, departments, and barangays to remove names, images, logos, slogans, color motifs, or symbols associated with public officials from government projects, programs, activities, and properties, and to ensure that no new projects carry prohibited displays.
San Enrique’s Mayor Niño Fernandez likewise announced full compliance, saying his administration had already ordered the implementation of the memorandum.
“I affirm my firm commitment to the rule of law and to the principles of transparency and accountability in public service,” Fernandez said.
She stressed that public resources exist to serve the people, not to advance personal or political recognition, adding that governance should focus on service delivery and integrity rather than self-promotion.
Dumangas’ Mayor Braeden John Biron also ordered the immediate removal of names, images, and personal markings of public officials from all government-funded projects in the municipality.
“In accordance with the DILG Memorandum Circular 2026-006, the LGU of Dumangas… has directed all departments to immediately remove the names, images, and any personal markings of public officials from government-funded projects,” the LGU said in a statement, citing its commitment to integrity, accountability, and good governance.
Following the order, the LGU of Dumangas removed a tarpaulin bearing the mayor’s name and image from a government project, underscoring the administration’s move to align local governance with the national directive./PN
