Ifugao roads still uncleared of obstructions: validation team

HUNGDUAN, Ifugao -- Uncleared landslides, dumped construction materials/aggregate, illegally parked functional and destroyed vehicles, protruding roofing of houses and extended repair shops.

These were among the concerns noted by the provincial validation team during their initial monitoring of the compliance of the 11 municipalities in the province on the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to clear all roads from obstructions for public use.

Led by the Dept. of Interior and Local Government with Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail and Management Penology , Philippine National Police  and Philippine Information Agency  as members, the team went to Hungduan, Banaue, Mayoyao and Alfonso Lista Sept. 20, 23-24 for said purpose.
 Activities were focused on the  inventory of municipal and barangay roads, cleared roads/sidewalks from obstruction,  municipal ordinance on road clearing and banning of illegal structures/construction, illegal structure and illegally parked vehicles, implementation of displacement strategies if applicable,  and rehabilitation of recovered public roads.

Municipal and barangay officials assured to conduct more clearing operations to remove all the road obstructions and submit reports before the given deadline.

The team validated other municipalities last week and reportedly submitted a consolidated report to the DILG – Cordillera using the prescribed forms on Oct. 4 for action.

Based on DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019-121, all local government units nationwide were enjoined to clear public roads of illegal obstructions and structures.  

They are given 60 days or until Sept. 29 to report achievements in the implementation of road clearing operations. (JDP/MBL-PIA CAR, Ifugao)