Singson: Remove buildings, structures along roads

By Pamela F. Dungala

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Sec. Rogelio L. Singson ordered all Department of Public Works and Highways regional and district offices last week to immediately remove obstructions and prohibited use of roads-right of-way along national roads.

Following this, District Engineer Wilbur B. Likigan ordered issuance of warnings and notices to right-of-way violators. Individuals who have been warned for the third time will be referred to the DPWH-CAR regional legal office for legal action.

Obstructions included structures, objects and similar items and activities along our national roads. Construction of buildings was banned under the order.

The order aimed to protect lives and properties and ensure speedy relief operations, prompt delivery of basic goods and services and immediate restoration of damaged public infrastructure facilities.

Singson’s Department Order No. 73 Series of 2014 stipulated this was in line with  provisions of Section 23 of Presidential Decree 17, known as Revised Philippine Highway Act as amended.

It was declared  unlawful for any person to usurp  portion of a right-of-way, convert any part of any public highway, bridge, wharf or trail to his own private use or to obstruct the same in any manner.

This was also under provisions of the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD No. 1096).

Prohibited uses within the national roads right-of-way include all kinds of temporary and permanent structures; posts and towers of electric distributors, cables for phones and mobile service providers; driveways and ramps protruding to the sidewalk; trees, shrubs and plant boxes; dumping and storage of construction materials and the like; parked vehicles and equipment; vending, repair of vehicles and other businesses within the sidewalk and other parts; disposal of household/commercial/industrial wastewater and sewage into the sidewalk, curb and gutter, and carriageway; raising of animals or allowing them to roam within the ROW; and, washing and drying of clothes, crops and similar items.

The department order also stated that no compensation shall be paid and allowed for removal of these obstructions.

Further, electric cooperatives and major electric power distributors, phones, mobiles and cable service providers are advised to commence acquisition of their own right-of-way to fulfill their specific mandate.

National roads right-of-way include carriageways, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, shoulders, canals and other portions within the defined road right-of-way.