MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) gave city mayors on or before September to clear public roads in their respective areas of any obstruction.
DILG secretary Eduardo Año said he gave the order to city mayors and administrators during their meeting on Thursday.
“Gusto ko nga 30 days lang,” Año said. “Sa pakikipag-usap ko sa mayors at city administrators baka humingi ng palugit ‘yan, umabot ng 60 days. Pero ang gusto ko diyan bago mag-Setyembre o within September malinis na lahat.”
“Ang kalsada ay ginawa para daanan ng commuters, hindi para gawing tindahan o parking (space),” added Año, who said he wanted vendors, basketball courts, barangay halls, and police precincts removed from all public roads.
According to Año, the DILG has the power to investigate local government officials who can’t enforce city ordinances, including those regarding the proper use of public roads and sidewalks.
“Ang ating Pangulo, base sa ating Konstitusyon at Local Government Code, ay merong supervisory powers over local chief executives at ‘yan ay dini-delegate niya sa akin lalo na sa aspeto ng pag-iimbestiga. But of course ang final approval ay sa ating Pangulo,” he said.
In his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday, Duterte asked Año to suspend mayors or governors who would not heed the order to reclaim all public roads that have been utilized for private purposes./PN
