EDITORIAL - A new man in the DILG

Weeks after announcing his selection of Manuel Roxas II as the standard bearer of the Liberal Party in 2016, President Aquino has picked a new secretary of the interior and local government. Roxas, who is on leave as LP president, will be replaced by the ruling party’s secretary general, Western Samar Rep. Mel Sarmiento.

In announcing his choice yesterday, the President did not specify when Sarmiento would take over. It may be prudent to make it sooner than later, as criticisms intensify that administration officials are using public office for early campaigning for 2016.

The post also has much bearing on the conduct of honest, orderly and credible elections. The Department of the Interior and Local Government has jurisdiction over the Philippine National Police, which must bring down the level of political violence as the elections approach. Loose firearms must be collected. PNP personnel must be rotated and withdrawn from bodyguard duty to prevent their use as private armies of political kingpins before the official start of the campaign period.

At the same time, the DILG can still use the few months left in the Aquino administration to improve the local environment for stimulating economic activity and generating employment. Business groups have often complained about local regulations, red tape and fees that discourage investments.

The DILG is also in charge of the Bureau of Fire Protection, whose inspections and clearances are required before city hall can issue business permits. As the fire that killed scores of workers in a Valenzuela slipper factory highlighted, the inefficiency of the BFP compelled a revision of rules that allowed local government units to issue preliminary business permits ahead of fire inspections.

The worst thing that the administration can do is to turn the DILG into nothing more than a poll machinery for the ruling party. The department has numerous important services that must be delivered to all people in this country, including foreign visitors, regardless of political affiliation. President Aquino may receive flak for putting another key party mate in the department. But now that he has made his choice, he must make sure Sarmiento will be up to the job.