Singson orders roads cleared of obstructions

Department of Public Works and Highways

MANILA, Philippines – Public Works (PW) Secretary Rogelio Singson has ordered the removal of obstructions within the right-of-way of national roads after a study showed that pedestrians were killed in “more than half of the recorded road crashes” along these thoroughfares.

Singson said he has directed the strict enforcement of existing orders on the removal of obstructions and prohibited uses within the road right-of-way of national roads.

“We have to recover the road right-of-way for the safety of pedestrians and general public,” Singson said in a statement.

“With the road shoulders or sidewalks full of illegal encroachments, pedestrians have no option but to walk on the road pavements,” he added.

Department of Public Works and Highways field officials have been ordered to promptly submit reports on the inventory of all illegal structures and obstructions, including utility posts along sidewalks and shoulders, on or before June 15, 2012, and a status report and inventory on the removal of illegal structures and obstructions on or before July 3, 2012, and every end of the succeeding months.

“If we want to have better quality and safer roads, we have to clear these obstructions along national roads,” Singson said, noting how travelways, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, shoulders, canals and other portions of national roads have been similarly obstructed.

He said the obstructions could refer to all kinds of private and permanent structures such as buildings, houses, shanties, stores, shops, sheds, posts, canopies, billboards, signages, advertisements, fences, and basketball courts.