DILG orders resumption of road clearing on Nov 16

BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the city government will resume road clearing operations on Nov 16, 2020 after the activity was temporarily suspended for seven months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mayor said Wednesday that this is line with the order by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The DILG has issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-145 giving all LGUs 60 days (from Nov 16, 2020 to Jan 15, 2021) to comply with the presidential directive to resume the clearing of roads of illegal structures and constructions.

DILG-Bacolod city director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag briefed the 61 Punong Barangays of Bacolod on the directive at the Bacolod City Government Center Tuesday.

Also in attendance were Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and City Legal Officer Atty. Joselito Bayatan.

They were joined by Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) acting city director Pol. Col. Manuel Placido, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) Pol. Lt. Col. Luisito Acebuche, BCPO Deputy for Operations Lt. Col. Lester Leada, Executive Assistant Butch Soliguen, Office of the Building Official head Engr. Nestor Velez, and city engineers.

Leonardia said the road clearing operations will put more order in the streets of the city, which earlier earned a compliance rating of 87% for the implementation of the program during the initial validation in Oct 2019.

The Punong Barangays must comply with the presidential directive on road clearing, otherwise they will face administrative sanctions from the DILG, Leonardia added.

This road clearing program is also related to the fight against COVID-19.

Section 4 (II) of Republic Act 11494 or the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act” provides that part of the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Interventions include the regulation of traffic on all roads, streets and bridges, and access thereto and the prohibition against putting up of encroachments or obstacles.

Further, Section 17 (b) of the Local Government Code of 1991 mandates all provincial, city, municipal, and barangay governments to manage and maintain roads within their jurisdiction as a basic service and facility.

Madayag discussed the salient points of DILG Memorandum Circular 2020-145, reiterating the roles of the barangay and the reports needed to be accomplished. She also gave a refresher on the previous issuances issued by the DILG and the importance of coordinated efforts.

“The continuation of the road clearing program is also part of our transition to the ‘New Normal’ so we need to ensure that public roads do not have illegal obstructions and that they are kept safe from potential danger to citizens and the community,” she said.

Madayag explained that the implementation of the road clearing program depends on the community quarantine status of the LGU.

She said partial implementation will be imposed in Bacolod City while it is under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) this November, which is limited to the actual removal or abatement of road and sidewalk obstructions that are considered dangerous to motorists and pedestrians, and road clearing for the purpose of establishing bike lanes.

However, she said, full implementation will be imposed if Bacolod transitions to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), which requires LGUs to adopt all components of the Road Clearing Operations as provided for in DILG Memorandum Circular 2020-027.

Leonardia again reminded the Punong Barangays to also continue the campaign efforts for the prevention of COVID-19 because there is no guarantee yet that the fight against the pandemic will be over soon.

“Everybody has to do his part. COVID is still here and the barangays must actively and aggressively continue the efforts to contain it,” Leonardia said.