Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 17) —The Department of Interior and Local Government on Monday said it has ordered officials to clear local roads in 75 days under the second round of a campaign that earlier saw the unclogging of primary and secondary streets.
Government units, especially at the village level, should clear local roads of all illegal obstructions starting Feb. 17, and maintain roads already cleared, DILG said in a statement.
A department memorandum issued Feb. 7 on the road clearing also calls for a displacement strategy for those affected by the operations, such as removed vehicles or vendors. There will be a “designation of unused spaces for relocation, and provision of alternative livelihood for vendors,” it read.
Moreover, tricycles can no longer ply national roads according to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año.
“Now, we will not only validate the performance of the mayor but also of the barangay captains,” Ano said. “We recognize that the barangays have the No. 1 responsibility in keeping their roads obstruction-free so under Road Clearing 2.0. we will also assess the performance of the barangays and file appropriate charges if necessary.”
Last year, the DILG ordered local governments to clear within 60 days all primary and secondary roads and sidewalks of obstruction. That is in accordance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call in his 2019 State of the Nation Address for public roads being used for private ends to be reclaimed.
READ: Barangay road clearing operations to start on February 17
The Interior Department has filed administrative charges against 10 mayors early this year for not complying with the earlier order to clear primary and secondary roads of illegal obstructions.
READ: DILG files administrative charges vs. 10 mayors for not complying with road clearing order
According to government data, 6,899 roads all over the Philippines were cleared of obstructions and illegal structures last year.
