MMDA: Sustaining cleared public roads next challenge for LGUs

MANILA, Philippines — After President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadline on clearing obstructions on public roads lapsed, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is now looking at the continuity of the road clearing drive in a bid to help ease the traffic flow.

After the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting Thursday, MMDA General manager Jojo Garcia said Metro Manila mayors have agreed to adopt a resolution that will ensure the sustainability of the road clearing campaign by putting village officials in charge.

Composed of Metro Manila local chief executives and MMDA heads, the MMC is the governing arm and policy-making body of the MMDA.

“It is the responsibility of the barangay chairmen to maintain cleared roads,” Garcia told reporters.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona) more than two months ago, Duterte gave local government heads across the country 60 days to reclaim all public roads that were being used for private purposes.

READ: Duterte to Año: Take back public roads to ease Metro Manila traffic

Duterte’s deadline lapsed on Sept. 29.

The Department of Interior and Local Government said it will release its assessment on local government units’ road clearing drive next week.

READ: Assessment on LGUs’ road clearing drive out next week—DILG

Garcia noted that the 60-day road clearing campaign was “just the start” and they are eager to continue the drive-by tapping barangay officials to maintain cleared public roads.

The majority of the obstructions cleared in Metro Manila in the last two months were illegally-parked vehicles, sidewalk vendors, barangay and police outposts. /je