DPWH, DILG, LGUs intensify road-clearing operation

 

Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon in an exit conference with the DILG and the PNP regarding the road clearing operation in Laoag. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff Reporter

Laoag City—In line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive during his fourth State of the Nation Address and in compliance with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Department Order 73 series of 2014, the DPWH-Ilocos Norte Engineering District (INED) I has intensified the clearing operation on the removal of obstructions along national road.

INED-I district engineer Maria Venus Torio announced that her district has started removing 35 permanent structures for the months of August and September.

The 35 reported structures cleared or removed are part of the 2,594 permanent structures inventoried intended for clearing operation as of July 31, 2019.

Of the 1.35 percent permanent structures cleared, there were also reported 284 temporary structures removed for the months of August and September.

“Napansin natin medyo maliit pa iyong natatanggal nating permanent structures pero most of these 2,594 obstructions were served for second and third notices. Parang ang liit lang ng aming accomplishment pero malaki na rin yun kasi iyong 35 permanent structures ay hindi po ganun kadaling magtanggal,” Ms. Torio explained.

She added that permanent structures are buildings, establishments and houses; while temporary structures are those ambulant vendors, signages and others that are considered obstruction on the 20-meter width of the national road.

She stressed that her office is presently preparing a right of way plan to permanent structures “para i-account namin iyong mga matatamaan na mga permanent obstructions”. 

She also disclosed that the basis for computation of permanent structures are based on the assessment coming from the city assessor’s office for Laoag and the provincial assessor’s office for the municipalities on the price of lot and structures affected.

DPWH needs LGU help

Meanwhile, Ms. Torio said the clearing operation is in compliance with the DPWH Department Order 73 series of 2014 on the removal of obstructions along national road.

“Dahil kapag kailangan na namin iyong 20 meters intended right of way on the national road, nakiki-negotiate din kami doon sa mga owners at alam din naming na wala kaming police powers kaya natutuwa din kami na tumutulong na iyong mga LGUs sa pagpapaalis ng mga obstructions along the national roads,” she pointed out.  

DPWH-INED II district engineer Mathias Malenab, for his part also announced that road clearing operations in Ilocos Norte’s second district are progressing in the municipalities of Badoc, San Nicolas, Dingras and Paoay including the city of Batac.

Mr. Malenab said Pinili did their own road clearing operation wherein they only requested the list of obstructions.

Most of the obstructions that were removed, Mr. Malenab said, were tents, waiting sheds, tables for mobile vendors and parking areas.

During the clearing implementation, Mr. Malenab admitted that there was also resistance from owners, however, the reason for the removal was clearly explained to them.

Mr. Malenab also announced that the DPWH has started marking the delineated 10 meters road right of way from the center line.

All affected residential areas which will be affected in this road widening will be notified for road obstruction.

“Ket no addan to project mi idiayen ket masapul a maikkat da and not yet in the near future ta awan pay met project,” Mr. Malenab added. 

Relative to this, Laoag DILG officer Janet Duarte said her office also received DILG Memorandum Circular No 2019-121 regarding the president’s directive on clearing of roads like illegal structures and constructions.

The memorandum states that 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 constructions.

Local chief executives are also directed to revoke permits that give authority to private entities to occupy public roads, alleys and other thoroughfares.

Local sanggunians are also enjoined to revisit ordinances and other similar legislative measures to ensure responsiveness to the presidential directive and its consistency with related laws and policies. 

Batac Mayor Albert D. Chua said they are also strictly intensifying and implementing the DILG memorandum circular.

Mr. Chua appealed to the public who will be affected to comply with the president’s directive with the help of Batac’s barangay officials concerned on those affected residential areas.

Mr. Chua also said that plant boxes, fences, waiting sheds and other temporary structures are the most affected while he has yet to receive reports of permanent structures that are affected.