Barangay hall not spared from MMDA clearing operations

Even a barangay hall was not spared from the clearing operations conducted by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday.

Despite the appeal of the chairwoman of Barangay 232 on Villaruel Street in Manila, MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim proceeded with the demolition.

According to the MMDA chief, the barangay hall was included in the establishments listed for demolition because “it is  encroaching the sidewalk.”

“This intensified campaign against obstructions is meant to show that we are serious in our job to clear the roads,” Lim said.

He added that the agency has repeatedly notified the barangay officials in the area, but none of them followed the instructions of the MMDA.

Lim urged barangay officials to cooperate with the MMDA or charges might be filed against them.

“We also sought the help of DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño who committed to press charges against uncooperative barangay officials,” Lim said.

The MMDA continues to intensify its crackdown against illegal obstructions such as illegally parked vehicles and illegal vendors around the metropolis. /ee

READ: MMDA: Over 36,000 illegal vendors removed from streets in 2017