Talisay dads back no sign, images on billboards order

Seeing that names and images of government officials still appear on billboards and government properties in Talisay City, two opposition councilors showed their support to the Interior Department’s order.

Councilor Romeo Villarante sponsored a resolution n during last week’s session corroborating and reinforcing the Department of Interior and Local Governement (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2010- 101.

“It has been observed 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,” Villarante said in his resolution.

He said he submitted the proposed resolution to uphold the DILG’s thrust on local governance.

The City Council approved the resolution.

Councilor Danny Caballero said that he was strongly supporting the measure and he would talk with Mayor  Soc Fernandez about repainting vehicles bearing names and images of government officials.

The DILG memorandum was in connection with the President’s  directive made during the 4th Cabinet Meeting held on Aug. 5, 2010.

He 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. Under the order, the  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.

In Cebu City, brown plaster has been used to cover the images of north district Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar  and that of her father and predecessor, Raul, painted on buses that they earlier distributed to 46 barangays in their district.

So far the plaster only covered their eyes, nose and lips.

Their family name Del Mar on the phrase “Serbisyo Del Mar” was also covered with plaster.