The roots of the present Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) may be traced to the old Department of Interior (DI) during the Philippine Revolution of 1897. On March 22, 1897, leaders of the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio met at Tejeros, Cavite in what is known in the Philippine history as the Acla de Tejeros of the Tejeros Convention.

A revolutionary government was established at that time and the new government elected Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as President and Andres Bonifacio as Secretary of Interior. However, Bonifacio did not assume the post. President Aguinaldo then appointed Pascual Alvarez as the Interior Director.

As the years of struggle for independence and self-government continued, the interior department became the premier office of the government tasked with various functions raging from supervision over local units, forest conservation, public instructions, control and supervision over the police, counter-insurgency, rehabilitation, community development and cooperatives development programs.

In 1950, the department was abolished and its functions were transferred to the Civil Affairs Office under the Office of the President. On January 6, 1956, the Presidential Assistant on Community Development (PACD) WAS CREATED. The Department was restored on November 7, 1992 with the creation of the Department of Local Government and Community Development (DLGCD). Few years later, the DLGCD was reorganized and renamed Ministry of Local Government (MLG) and later as the Department of Local Government (DLG).

On December 13, 1990, Republic Act 6975 was signed into Law creating the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail and Penology and the Philippine Public Safety College under the reorganized Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The new DILG merged the National Police Commission (NAPLOCOM), and all the bureaus, offices, and operating units of the former DILG under Executive Order No.262. The passage of RA6975 paved the way for the union of the local governments and the police force after more than 40 years of separation.

PASSED REGIONAL HEADS:

DILG Regional Director

1. Romulfo E. Aquino                              July 1972 to February 1976

2. Mamerto C. Pacis                               March 1976 to May 1, 1978

3. Carlos C. Baquiran                              June 1, 1978 to November 4, 1986

4. Alvin G. Dans                                     November 5, 1986 to March 26, 1987

5. Abdul Asis Tawagon                            March 24, 1987 to August 31, 1987

6. Cesar T. Melegrito                              September 1, 1987 to June 20, 1990

7. Romulo G. Ventenilla                           July 1990 to June 16, 1995

8. Safiro A. Vinarao                                July 9, 1995 to March 17, 1997

9. Virgilio A. Carreon                               March 18, 1997 to July 25, 1997

10. Leonilo V. Lariosa                             July 26, 1997 to September 2, 1997

11. Manuel B. Biason                             September 3, 1997 to July 8, 1998

12. Rodolfo Z. Razul                               July 8, 1998 to October 12, 1998

13. Manuel V. Biason                              October 12, 1998 to December 28, 2000

14. Isabelita EM. Abcede                         December 28, 2000 to September 26, 2001

15. Renato L. Brion                                September 26, 2001 to Date

DILG Assistant Regional Director

1. Jose Q. Rupac                                   1972 to 1983

2. Cesar T. Melegrito                              January 3, 1984 to August 31, 1987

3. Juan Volfango                                    September 1988 to May 18, 1990

4. Virgilio Carrem                                   May 1990 to July 31, 1995

5. Cornelio Santiago                               August 1, 1995 to August 19, 1999

6. John Castañeda                                 August 1999 to Present