Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday, July 29, ordered mayors nationwide to clear roads of illegal structures and illegally obstructing activities within 60 days.
“All local officials are enjoined to exercise their powers essential to reclaim public roads which are being used for private ends and in the process, rid them of illegal structures and construction,” said Año in his order.
“Within 60 calendar days, significant results must be achieved, documented, and reported together with the efforts of the lgus to sustain the same,” he added.
Año urged Metro Manila mayors to prioritize the clearing of primary and arterial roads that contribute to vehicular congestion on main roads — Commonwealth Avenue, Osmeña Highway, Aurora Boulevard and C5 Road in particular.
The DILG order came from President Rodrigo Duterte who asked local chief executives nationwide to reclaim public roads which have been used for private purposes.
“My request, my pleading to the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) and all concerned local officials in Metro Manila to undertake immediate action to ensure smooth flow of traffic…Reclaim all public roads that are being used for private ends,” Duterte said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
According to Año, “significant results” will be measured in the clearance of roads, with the priority for high-traffic roads.
He also warned mayors who would fail to reclaim roads of administrative complaints, using the Local Government Code.
“There is no room for compromise on this issue. It’s either black or white. I will not hesitate to submit to the president the names of stubborn local chief executives. If it all leads to a suspension, so be it. It is for the benefit of the people anyway,” Año said.
He also reminded mayors to take measures to provide alternatives for the displaced persons that would be affected with their clearing operations.
