Talisay bans names, images of public officials on billboards

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City council has approved a measure reinforcing the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) order which bans names or images of public officials in billboards or signages of government projects or properties.

Resolution No. 2011-30-14, authored by Councilor Romy Villarante, vice chairman on the committee on Laws, has requested Mayor Socrates Fernandez to enforce the DILG order.

"Pursuant to the DILG's thrust to uphold local governance, practice of putting up billboards and signages and other information materials bearing the names, initials or pictures of government personalities on all government projects, and properties (fire trucks, ambulances, vehicles, etc.) are hereby prohibited through the issuance of DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-101," read the newly approved resolution.

The circular came out after President Aquino in a meeting held last August 5, 2010, directed all members of the Cabinet and other government instrumentalities to refrain from associating the President's personality and identity in their programs and projects.

Villarante said that "up to this date, names or initial and/or images or pictures of government officials still appear on billboards and signages of government programs and properties in the City of Talisay." (FREEMAN)