NO MORE INDAY?: DILG prods Iloilo City Hall to rename livelihood program

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of the Interior and Local Government-Iloilo City has recommended that the Iloilo City government remove and rename its livelihood program, Tindahan, Livelihood & Cart ni Inday, or TLC ni Inday, over what it described as a possible violation of the government’s anti-epal policy.

DILG-Iloilo City Director Oscar Lim said that although Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu argued that “Inday” is a generic term, the name may still be associated with her.

“I have already talked to the mayor. Their stand is that Inday is generic because if you are an Ilonggo, when you say Inday, that shows respect for women,” he said in an interview.

“But then I said, it can also be attributed to the mayor because she is Inday Raisa,” he added.

“Inday” is a nickname publicly associated with the city mayor and was also used in campaign-related references during the 2025 elections.

Lim said the DILG recommended removing the word “Inday” from the program’s name because it appears to violate the government’s anti-epal policy under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006.

“They should revert it. If it is TLC, then it should just be TLC. As I said, it is not worth the trouble. What is important is not the name. What is important is that the intended beneficiaries receive the assistance. However, there are rules that prohibit the use of certain names, so it should be removed,” he emphasized.

“When we see it, basically, there is a violation in the anti-epal. But what we will do is how to correct it,” he added.

The anti-epal policy prohibits the display or attachment of a public official’s name, image, likeness, photograph, logo, initials, color motif, slogan, or other identifying symbol on government-funded projects, programs, activities, and properties.

The DILG issued Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006 in January 2026, directing local officials and DILG offices to ensure that public funds are not used for materials that may promote public officials through government projects.

Lim clarified that the DILG-Iloilo City office cannot categorically determine whether a violation already exists because only the agency’s central office has the authority to make such a ruling.

He said the DILG has consistently reminded the city government to comply with the anti-epal policy, although issues sometimes arise at the level of implementing departments and offices.

Lim added that his office has yet to receive a copy of the complaint filed by lawyer Josiah David Quising before DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr. on May 28.

He said the DILG is also gathering data and relevant information regarding the program for inclusion in a special report to be submitted to the regional office.