‘NO NAMES, JUST SERVICE’: Iloilo City execs vow compliance with anti-epal polic

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Top Iloilo City officials have ordered full compliance with the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) nationwide “anti-epal” policy, directing a review of government projects to remove names, logos, and other personal identifiers from public infrastructure.

Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne Baronda said her office has formed a monitoring team to inspect government-funded projects under her office for signages bearing her name or identity.

“From the start, we have supported this. It’s good because at least the government ensures transparency and practices good governance, and I really support it,” Baronda said Wednesday, Feb. 4.

She said she has already written the Department of Public Works and Highways to request the removal of personal promotional materials from projects she facilitated.

Baronda stressed that infrastructure funded by taxpayers should be labeled as “people’s buildings” or “multipurpose” facilities rather than highlighting individual politicians.

She cited the PHP 80 million People’s Center in Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, which serves as a disaster evacuation hub and can be expanded to accommodate other areas.

“We will commit […] I hope the DILG will strictly implement the memorandum to give hope to the Filipinos,” Baronda said.

Baronda said her office’s monitoring showed that at least five project signages still bear the name of her political party, Gugma.

She said full compliance is expected to be completed this week or next week.

For Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, her spokesperson Joy Fantilaga-Gorzal said a memorandum for city officials is currently being drafted.

Fantilaga-Gorzal said no release date has been set as the city government is still awaiting clarification from the DILG central office.

“The city mayor assures that all offices of the city government will follow the memorandum,” she added.

One of the mayor’s initial steps was the removal of her image and the slogan “Because RAISA Cares” from the entrance of the Atipan Center on the seventh floor of City Hall.

The city government has launched several programs that incorporate Treñas-Chu’s name or wordplay, particularly under her “RISE-to-Action” agenda.

These initiatives commonly use “RISE” as an acronym or a play on “Raisa,” linking the branding to themes of upliftment and progress.

The “RISE-to-Action” agenda is anchored on three pillars: Rising Health and Social Services, Rising Economy, and Rising Livability.

Health and social programs include RISEable: Kaya sang Kada Bata, RISEMed, RISE MERKADO, and the RAIS-Sustansya food mix distributed at Uswag Nutrition Centers.

Economic initiatives under the RISE banner include RISE MERKADO, RISE Ilonggo, tRAIbaho, RISE to Greens, and SunRISE, while education and livability efforts include the RAISkolar Mentorship Program.

The city government also continues to use “Uswag,” a long-standing slogan from the administration of former Mayor Jerry Treñas, now carried on under his daughter’s leadership.

The branding prefixes numerous social, health, education, and livelihood initiatives, including the Uswag Scholarship Program, Uswag Nutrition Center, Uswag Negosyo Academy, Uswag Molecular Laboratory, Uswag Residential Complex, and Uswag Community Kitchens.