By: Emme Rose Santiagudo
IN ITS commitment to make Iloilo City roads free from illegal structures and obstructions, the Public Safety and Transportation Office (PSTMO) and other departments will start road clearing operations today, July 30, 2019.
The operation is in accordance with the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, which was re-echoed by Mayor Jerry Treñas, to clear all roads and highways of illegal obstructions.
The clearing and demolition team will include the Task Force Anti Squatting and Illegal Structures (ASIS), Philippine National Police (PNP), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), City Assessor, City Legal Office (CTO).
Operation “Hawan Karsada” will kick off at Brgy. Alalasan in Lapuz District, Iloilo City.
Mayor Jerry Treñas issued a memorandum directing the PSTMO, Task Force ASIS and Office of the Barangay Affairs to go around the city and warn those who continue to obstruct roads, especially illegally parked vehicles.
“I told them to go around the city and give warnings to illegal constructions, obstructions, illegal parking on major roads and national roads,” he said.
Treñas said that the violators only have a week to voluntarily dismantle the obstructions.
“Ang ginapangayo sang city nga tani voluntary na lang, dismantling on their part, but if they will not voluntarily do it, then the city will have to demolish it,” he emphasized.
The mayor appealed for understanding saying that he is only following the verbal order of the President.
“I hope our people will understand, this is a direct order of the president which we are complying with otherwise we will face suspension and this is not happening in Iloilo city but in the whole country. They have to understand, ginaubra ta ni not because we want to but we are doing this because of the verbal instruction of the President,” he said.
He added that those barangay officials who refuse to follow the order may also face suspension.
“Amo na gin-involve ko ang Barangay Affairs para maintindihan sang pumuluyo nga order ini sa babaw and we have to comply otherwise I will be suspended, and the barangay officials where the obstruction will be suspended,” he said.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Pres. Duterte ordered all local chief executives through DILG secretary Eduardo Año to reclaim all public roads being used for private purposes.
Starting on July 29, 2019, Año said that all mayors have 60 days to clear major and national roads of illegal structures and obstructions.
