Pasig, Pateros mayors call for, welcome public initiative on road clearing

MANILA, Philippines – Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and municipality of Pateros counterpart Juan Miguel Ponce appealed to their constituents on Thursday to have the initiative to help clean and clear roads of obstructions and eyesores.

“Ang apela ko sa aking mga kababayan, huwag na nating hintayin ang clearing team ng MMDA o ng DILG, magkusa na po tayo,” said Ponce, who joined the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) clearing operations.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier gave Metro Manila mayors 60 days to clean and clear roads of obstructions.

READ: 60-day countdown for LGUs to clear public roads starts Monday – Año

Mayor Sotto, meantime, welcomed reports that city residents are already cleaning and clearing the roads on their own.

“Actually, natutuwa po ako kasi marami sa ating mga kababayan, nagkukusa na. Generally speaking, very compliant ang mga Pasigueño,” Sotto said.

“May lugar kami na pinupuntahan tinatanong nila kung bawal ba ito, at kung bawal, sila mismo tinatanggal na mga obstruction,” he added.

He said the city government will continue to clearing roads and maintaining order.

He added that the 60-day deadline is “definitely challenging, but very doable and realistic.”

“Basta magtulungan. Maganda is lahat ng alkalde ng Metro Manila pati national government agencies nagkakaisa, hindi tayo magkakaproblema,” Sotto said. /gsg