The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called on local government units (LGUs) to pass new ordinances and strengthen existing local rules in support of the government’s Safer Cities initiative, a nationwide push to make streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces safer for Filipino families.

The campaign carries out the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen peace and order, reduce crime, and ensure that people feel secure not only at home, but also on the roads, in markets, near schools, and in places where daily life happens.

The DILG urged provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays to review and reinforce ordinances covering public drinking, roaming shirtless in public areas, excessive noise, videoke operations beyond 10:00 p.m., and curfew measures for minors.

For LGUs where these rules already exist, the Department called for consistent enforcement and stronger police visibility, especially in busy streets, transport terminals, commercial districts, and other crowded areas where residents expect order and protection.

The Department emphasized that local chief executives are mandated under the law to implement measures that promote the general welfare, maintain peace and order, protect public safety, and preserve public convenience.

Recent implementation data from the Safer Cities initiative recorded 68,257 public safety interventions, reflecting active enforcement, guidance, and community correction across participating areas. Many incidents involved public drinking and smoking, roaming shirtless in public places, minors found outside during curfew hours, and unauthorized karaoke operations beyond allowed hours.

The initiative is currently being piloted across LGUs in the National Capital Region, with expansion set for major urban centers nationwide.

The DILG said safer communities are measured by whether parents feel at ease letting their children walk outside, workers can go home without fear, and neighborhoods can rest peacefully at night.