Department of the Interior and Local Government

The Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government (Filipino: Kagawaran ng Interyor at Pamahalaang Lokal), abbreviated as DILG, is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety and strengthening local government capability aimed towards the effective delivery of basic services to the citizenry.

The department is currently led by the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, nominated by the President of the Philippines and confirmed by the Commission on Appointments. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet. The current Secretary of the Interior and Local Government is Mel Senen Sarmiento.

History

The DILG traces its roots in the Tejeros Convention of March 22, 1897. As the Department of the Interior, it was among the first Cabinet positions of the proposed revolutionary Philippine government, wherein Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected President. The leader of Katipunan's Magdiwang faction, Andres Bonifacio, was originally elected Director of the Interior in the convention, but a controversial objection to his election led to the Magdiwang's walk-out and his refusal to accept the position. Gen. Pascual Alvarez would be appointed as Secretary by Aguinaldo on April 17, 1897, during the Naic Assembly.