DILG-6 pushes key policies for transparency, accountability, and safety
By Mary Joy Cavañas
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – 6, through its Regional Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero, presented essential policies across the region during the Kapihan sa PIA Western Visayas on April 21, 2026.
During his presentation, Ingeniero discussed three essential policies for the public’s welfare, promoting transparency, and accountability.
One of these policies include the Anti-Epal Policy that covers all elected and appointed officials in the local government units (LGUs). All DILG personnel, officials, and employees of DILG-attached agencies are also covered, stressing a whole-of-government policy and not limited to LGUs alone.
Things that are strictly prohibited under this policy include: names of public officials; pictures or images; slogan or mottos; initials, logos or symbols associated with personalities; and color motif or branding link to individual.
“Government projects are funded by taxpayers, not by individual officials. Therefore, all government undertakings must remain professional, institution-centered, free from personal promotion,” Ingeniero said.
Such a policy is also being implemented to concerned offices and LGUs across Region 6 for stricter compliance, ensuring that it’s being followed through monitoring. In case of violation, the public may report or file a complaint to the DILG Field and/or Regional Offices, PACC Records Email (paccrecords@gmail.com), and the national hotline 8888.
“The anti-epal policy is not about restricting officials, it is about protecting the integrity of public service. When projects are free from personal branding, the people see the government truly works for them, not for politics. We therefore call on LGUs and stakeholders to fully support this policy.” he added.
Ingeniero also discussed another policy which is the Inventory and Turnover of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Properties. These include properties, financial records, documents, and money accountabilities.
“When leadership changes, government assets and records must be properly turned over and nothing should be left out accounted for,” he stressed.
As a preparation for BSKE 2026 on November 2, he emphasized that this is to ensure an orderly, transparent, and seamless transition of governance, stressing that leadership may change but accountability must remain and public service must continue without disruption.
Its purpose is to ensure smooth transactions through proper checking, physical inventory, and documentation of old barangay and SK properties. During the process, it also requires creation of Barangay Inventory Team, along with City and/or Municipal transition team, in order to create a clear and documented transfer of accountability from outgoing officials to incoming leaders.
In terms of key deadlines, all transition teams must be organized and initial inventory reports must be submitted by September 30, 2026, while final inventory and turnover reports must be completed by December 20, 2026.
Ingeniero cited that officials who fail to properly turnover government property may be held liable under existing laws and regulations.
“In good governance, leadership is not only measured by how we begin but also by how responsibly we turn things over,” he emphasized.
Lastly, Ingeniero also discussed the third policy which is public safety with regard to the enactment of local ordinances for safer cities.
This policy empowers the LGUs to enact and enforce measures that protect the public and preserve order, covering LGUs, including barangay, municipalities, cities, and provinces.
“When it comes to the city, everyone has a role to play. Public safety is a shared responsibility and local governments are the frontline of making communities peaceful, disciplined, and secure. They are also encouraged to intesify enforcement,” said Ingeniero.
Concerns and/or issues disrupting the peace and people’s activities include Public drinking of liquor and intoxicating beverages, excessive noise from videoke and amplified devices, curfew for minors, and indecent exposure in public places.
“These may appear ordinary concerns but when neglected, they affect peace, safety, and quality of life,” Ingeniero stressed.
He also encouraged LGUs to enact new ordinances or strengthen existing ones to make these sustainable and responsive to local needs.
Currently, DILG-6 still monitors and recorded numerous enacted ordinances in the region, also expecting the answer of LGUs in a call for safer communities, urging them to take an active role in making safety a visible priority.
He emphasized that the policies he discussed may have covered different areas but they share one common purpose which is to build a government that is more accountable, more responsive, and closer to the people.
Ingeniero also reaffirms DILG’s commitment in Western Visayas to work with LGUs and stakeholders in promoting transparency, strengthening institutions, and keeping the community safe.
