The City of Bacolod has reaffirmed its commitment to the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) initiatives and policies including the anti-epal policy, with a focus on fostering transparency and accountability in all local government-funded projects, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo explained that the local government is implementing the policy by ensuring public works and initiatives do not feature politicians’ names or likenesses—with limited exceptions, such as on official business permits.
“We are observing the anti-epal stance by avoiding the promotion of personal political images on government projects, especially those financed by public funds,” he said. “Our goal is to focus on governance and service, rather than self-promotion.”
Mayo added that personal or organizational initiatives, including donation drives, may still display identifying information where appropriate, as permitted under the policy guidelines.
DILG City Director Christian Nagaynay emphasized recent steps to strengthen compliance, including a memorandum circular issued earlier this week. “We have communicated with Mayor Greg and our barangays to ensure full adherence to the policy,” he said. “Violations may be subject to sanctions under existing laws, such as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.”
The circular explicitly prohibits displaying politicians’ names, photographs, logos, or slogans on public structures, projects, or promotional materials funded by government resources. “Our aim is to establish clear standards that promote fairness and integrity in government dealings,” Nagaynay added.
Bacolod is also advancing cohesive city branding efforts, ensuring that local symbols and visual identifiers exclusively represent the community and its public services.*
