ILOLO City – The clearing of road obstructions here resumed yesterday.
The Iloilo City Joint Task Force on Road Clearing was reconstituted by Mayor Jerry Treñas through Executive Order No. 010-2022.
Many public roads and spaces in the city are not properly utilized by road users/public because unscrupulous individuals have illegally appropriated to themselves these spaces to display and vend their goods, or erect structures for commercial and advertising purposes.
According to Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu, the first day of the road clearing yesterday in the City Proper focused on roads and sidewalks occupied by parked tricycles, pedicabs, four-wheeled vehicles and even makeshift stalls / kiosks by business establishments that extended their working places.
Owners of these apprehended obstructions face a fine of P1,000.
Conlu said the clearing will be continuous.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2019-421 enjoins all local officials to exercise powers essential to reclaim public roads which are being used for private ends and in the process, rid them of illegal structures, cause the rehabilitation of all recovered public roads by placing street names and street lights, among others, and develop and implement strategies that will address displacement.
The memo also directed local chief executives to revoke permits that give authority to private entities to occupy public roads, alleys and other thoroughfares, and observe prudence in placing street signs and signages to avoid exacerbating problems on obstructions.
In resuming road clearing operations, Mayor Treñas further cited the following:
* DILG Memorandum Circular No. 145-2020 dated Oct. 27, 2020 reiterating the directive of the President to clear all roads of illegal structures and constructions;
* Iloilo City Regulation Ordinance No. 14- 1990 expressly prohibiting the use of the city sidewalks, public places and plazas for the construction of stalls and kiosks for commercial purposes; and
Regulation Ordinance No. 2012-402 which regulates the operation of ambulant stores in the city
The taskforce is chaired by Treñas himself, City Administrator Melchor Tan as vice chairperson; and the PSTMO chief or representative as team leader, and the members are the chiefs or authorized representatives of the Iloilo City Police Office, Local Economic Enterprise Office, City Engineering Office, City Legal Office, General Services Office, Business Processing and Licensing Office, DPWH District Engineer, and Land Transportation Office.
As provided in the EO, the composite team will perform all duties and functions necessary to comply with the requirements of DILG Memorandum Circular No. 145-2020, ordinances and other relevant issues on road clearing. /PN
