Ilocos Norte dad wants more teeth for ‘anti-epal’ measure

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—A provincial lawmaker is pursuing the passage of an ordinance to strengthen an anti-epal bill, prohibiting the display or posting of government official’s names and photos in all government projects, services and vehicles.

Adopting Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers’ House Bill 3952, or the so-called Anti-Epal Act of 2016, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Vicentito “Toto” M. Lazo said the proposed local ordinance, which is similar to Mr. Barbers, aims to give “more teeth” to the measure once approved by the provincial board.

In a joint committee hearing, with mayors, councilors, barangay chairpersons as well as representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways and other local government units in attendance, held at the SP session hall, Mr. Lazo reiterated, “We are all guilty of epal but we should not tolerate such small things— for small things can become big.”

Citing several measures such as the Commission on Audit Circular 2013-004 dated January 2013 and a DPWH Department Order No. 21 series of 2017 that prohibits the posting of names and photos of government officials using taxpayers’ money, Mr. Lazo encouraged all concerned officials to give meaning and honor existing guidelines from COA, DPWH and even the Department of Interior and Local Government, which earlier issued the same order in 2010.

“The problem with the existing ([law] is that we don’t know where to pinpoint liability. So, we have to input provision to give more teeth to the law,” Mr. Lazo explained during the joint committee hearing conducted by the SP’s committees on laws and public works.

Once approved, Mr. Lazo’s proposed anti-epal ordinance seeks to penalize the setting up of epal signages in the province. Violators face a six-month to one-year imprisonment and a fine of PHP5,000.

Like in various parts of the country, there are existing epal posters in the entire province mostly found in government-funded roads, bridges, schools and welcome arcs including government-owned vehicles.

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