Isko Moreno: Manila supports Duterte’s order to reclaim public roads

Divisoria, the shopping haven of the budget-conscious in Manila, is unrecognizable without the usual horde of vendors clogging its roads. The photo on the left was taken a few days before Christmas in 2018. The one on the right was taken on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, after newly-installed Manila Mayor Isko Moreno led the clearing operations in the area. (Photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — As expected, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who has been implementing rigorous clearing operations in the streets of the capital city, is backing President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to reclaim public roads being used for private purposes nationwide.

“It’s good that the President is doing it and we are in support. The City of Manila and the capital of the country is in support of the President’s call,” Moreno told reporters in an ambush interview on Tuesday.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday, Duterte ordered Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to suspend mayors, governors, and other local government leaders who would not heed orders to rid the streets of obstructions.

The directive to clear public roads comes in the midst of government efforts to address the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila.

READ: Duterte orders Año: Suspend mayors, governors refusing to clear public roads

According to Moreno, government officials should help each other and coordinate in clearing roads across the country.

Moreno stressed that public roads should be used by all, regardless of people’s social status.

“Ang may-ari ng kalsada ay taong bayan – mahirap, middle class, mayaman, may trabaho, wala. Lahat ng tao dapat gumagamit ng kalsada,” he said. /kga