Clearing of road obstructions starts as school opening nears

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) is gearing up for the opening of the school year by ordering roads nears schools cleared of obstructions.

“We have to clear the sidewalks or roadsides to ensure the safety of the students walking to and from their schools,” DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said in a statement released Friday.

“The students have no option but to walk on the road pavement or road way which is very dangerous to them, especially in areas where there is a high volume of vehicles,” said Secretary Singson.

Singson issued Department Order No. 29 dated May 07, 2012, instructing all field offices to submit an inventory of obstructions along national roads so they could eventually be cleared with the help of local government units and enforcement agencies.

Obstructions were considered as “all kinds of private and permanent structures such as buildings, houses, shanties, stores, shops, sheds, posts, canopies, billboards, signages, advertisements, fences, walls, railings, basketball courts, garbage receptacles, plants and plant boxes, driveways and ramps occupying or protruding to the sidewalk, humps, construction materials (gravel, sand, cement, lumber, steel bars, waste materials, etc.), and vehicles and equipment that are junked, parked and occupying or protruding to the sidewalk or shoulder.”

Singson also directed the DPWH to set provisions for loading and unloading bays along national roads as well as the repainting of pedestrian crossings near schools to ensure the safety of students who will be flocking to schools come June.

“Road improvement or preventive maintenance activities along national roads shall be fast tracked and should have been completed before the opening of classes on June 4 as heavy build-up of vehicles is expected,” Singson said.