MANILA—Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla is facing backlash over the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) recent Facebook post announcing class and work suspensions amid widespread flooding caused by Tropical Storm Crising, Tropical Depression Dante, and the southwest monsoon.

The BPO Industry Employees’ Network (BIEN) slammed the agency’s use of memes and humor, saying the post was “not only unprofessional but also deeply insensitive.”

“Calling workers ‘immortal’ for showing up to work despite life-threatening floods and severe weather is an insult, not a compliment,” BIEN said in a statement. “They deserve safety, support, and respect, not mockery.”

The group cited the DILG’s own statements:

“Lousy kami sa gobyerno kahapon. Dapat kagabi pa lang, inunahan na namin ang delubyo.”
“Para sa mga immortal na namamasukan, bahala na ang boss niyo. Sila ang nakakaalam ng kinakailangan ng hanap buhay.”
“Mga abangers, sarap ng bogchi. Sa kabusugan ay nakaidlip ng sandali. Oh eto na ang inaabangan niyo!”

“These statements do not reflect the gravity of the situation. Lives are at risk. Homes are submerged. Families are displaced. Trying to be funny in a moment like this reflects a lack of empathy and responsibility,” BIEN said.

The group warned that government communications “should inform, protect, and uplift—not downplay danger or treat suffering as entertainment,” calling the DILG’s approach “dangerous” and damaging to public trust.

“To the DILG: you are not influencers, you are public servants. We ask that you take that role seriously,” BIEN said.

Remulla, however, stood by his approach.

“Ang daming letga. Pasensya na, pero hindi na ako magbabago ng ugali,” the DILG chief said.
“Kung ang biro ko ay di karapat-dapat para sa inyo, tandaan ninyong wala naman akong minura, minaliit, o hinamak. Wala rin akong binola o sinabing kasinungalingan. A little humor never hurt anyone.”

He also clarified earlier that his informal tone was meant to ease public anxiety.

“Hindi ko po minamaliit ang pinaghihirapan ng mga frontliners natin. Ang ginagawa ko lang ay gawing mas magaan ang paraan ng pagpapaalala—hindi puro pangamba. Kung may hindi nakaintindi, humihingi ako ng pasensya. Pero wala po akong masamang intensyon,” Remulla said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. expressed support for Remulla, saying his style helps cut through online misinformation.

“Criticize me, criticize him for the way we speak. But that’s the way he speaks. As long as he gets the message across. That’s what it’s for,” Marcos said.