DILG bans names, photos on firetrucks, police vehicles

By MYLES JOSEPH E. COLASITO
August 16, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Following President Noynoy Aquino’s directive not to advertise his name or picture in government programs and projects, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has prohibited the use of names and images of officials in billboards and signages of DILG programs and projects, including those on fire trucks, ambulance vans and police vehicles.

DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said all heads of DILG operating units, including DILG-attached agencies should refrain from putting up billboards, signages and other similar information materials bearing the names and images of personalities, including him and the President, on DILG projects.

“Revisit previous projects and see to it that billboards, tarpaulins and signages for DILG projects do not emblazon the name or image of any government personality or politician,” Robredo said in a Circular he issued on Wednesday.

“Do the same for DILG properties such as firetrucks, ambulances and vehicles,” the DILG secretary further stated.

Robredo issued the order to comply with the President’s directive to all Cabinet members, heads of agencies and instrumentalities and government-owned or controlled corporations during the 4th Cabinet Meeting to refrain from associating the President’s personality and identity to their programs and projects

“The practice of putting up billboards and signages bearing the names of government officials and even politicians does not sit well among our citizenry who are the major contributors in financing government undertakings, through the payment of their respective taxes,” said Robredo.