Mayor’s Name on Caloocan Garbage Bags Sparks Online Discussion
EPAL? – A photo of a garbage bag in Caloocan City with the large name of the city mayor printed on it went viral on social media.
The picture, posted by Ajarn Chris Vlog, quickly caught public attention and sparked mixed reactions online, as many people questioned why a public official’s name should appear on something purchased with government funds.
Some residents defended their mayor, saying he has made many improvements in the city and that the organized garbage system shows progress. However, others disagreed, saying it looked like a form of self-promotion and was unnecessary. Some netizens joked that having a politician’s name on a garbage bag was inappropriate, while others said this should already be prohibited by law.
This issue revived discussions about the “Anti-Epal Bill” (House Bill No. 71). The proposed law aims to prevent government officials from placing their names, initials, logos, or photos on public projects funded by taxpayers. It clearly states that public works—such as roads, vehicles, buildings, and waste management programs—should not display the names or faces of politicians. These projects are meant to serve the public, not to act as advertisements or political promotions for officials.
Many people online also questioned how much money was spent to print the mayor’s name on the garbage bags. They said the funds could have been used for more important projects or city improvements. Some pointed out that such actions contribute to what they call “epal” politics, where public officials try to take credit for projects financed by public funds rather than their own resources.
As of press time, Dale Gonzalo “Along” Rigor Malapitan, who has been serving as the Mayor of Caloocan since 2022, has yet to issue a statement regarding the viral garbage bags.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time Mayor Along’s name has been involved in controversy. On April 24, 2025, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Kontra Bigay Committee issued show-cause orders against Malapitan and several other local candidates over alleged vote-buying activities during their campaign.