DILG says road clearing ops going smoothly

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will start fielding assessment teams on Sept. 30 to validate the compliance of mayors in Metro Manila and other regions with President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to clear all public roads of obstructions.

DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said on Wednesday that all road clearing operations in the different localities were “proceeding smoothly.”

“We’re not yet in a position to make an assessment (as to compliance) at this time because the validation begins on the 30th of this month,” he told the Inquirer.

The DILG issued in July a memorandum circular setting a 60-day deadline for all local government units, particularly in the National Capital Region, to clear public roads of illegal structures and other obstructions to ease vehicular traffic. The deadline will end on Sept. 29.

Malaya pointed out that before a local government could be declared fully compliant, they should “enact or revisit ordinances related to road clearing and banning of illegal construction; prepare an inventory of roads within their jurisdiction; develop and implement displacement strategies; and cause the rehabilitation of recovered public roads.”

Beyond road clearing

He stressed, however, that it was not only about clearing primary and secondary roads but also ensuring that these would remain clear and open to public use beyond the Sept. 29 deadline.

All local government units (LGUs) are required to submit weekly progress reports to the DILG.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año earlier ordered the formation of validation teams, composed of representatives from the DILG, the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, as well as civil society, to confirm the data in the LGUs’ reports.

Of the 17 Metro Manila local governments, only six have cleared of all obstructions “100 percent” of the primary and secondary road in their areas, according to a DILG report.

The six LGUs were identified as Makati, Las Piñas, Marikina, Valenzuela, Navotas and Pateros.