LGUs’ road-clearing ops to be scrutinized by Monday

MANILA, Philippines — By Monday, September 30, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will start assessing the compliance and success of  local government units (LGU) in Metro Manila and the rest of the country in clearing roads of obstructions as instructed by President Duterte to ease the movement vehicles and pedestrians.

“Starting Monday, the DILG Validation Teams will be visiting all LGUs for an assessment,” DILG Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said in a statement Friday.

Malaya said the validation teams, composed of a Local Government Operations Officer and representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), a DILG-accredited non-government organization, and the media, will assess the LGUs’ compliance based on the criteria and parameters set in DILG’s Memorandum Circular 121-2019.

“Those who are found to be non-compliant will be issued Show Cause Orders by Secretary [Eduardo] Año before their names are submitted to the President,” Malaya added.

Since there are two days left before the deadline, Malaya urged LGUs “to fast-track the road clearing operations in their respective jurisdictions.”

Malaya reminded local officials they have the power to discipline and make accountable “negligent or uncooperative barangay captains.”

“Under the Local Government Code, you are the primary disciplining authority over your Punong Barangays, therefore, we urge you to utilize your powers – without fear or favor – whenever necessary and make them accountable for their performance,” Malaya said.

“We urge the public to support your respective LGU officials and to immediately self-demolish structures that have encroached on a public street or road,” Malaya stressed./gsg