SAN JOSE, Antique – The Department of the Interior and Local Government is reminding barangay officials to maintain cleared roads in compliance with Memorandum Circulars 2019-121 and 2017-167.
Memorandum Circulars 2019-121 and 2017-167 direct all local officials to exercise their powers to clear roads of illegal structures and obstructions, and to reclaim all public roads that are being used for private ends.
Information Officer Judy Magdato, in a press release, said that the same issuance provides for the transfer of the responsibility to the barangays in the maintenance and sustainability of roads that have been cleared.
The barangay officials are reminded of their roles and urged them to revisit approved ordinances and make them consistent with existing municipal ordinances or other related laws and policies pertaining to road clearing operations.
“They should also collaborate with their respective municipal officials to harmonize efforts in the clearing of roads of illegal structures and obstructions as well as initiate strategy to ensure the smooth implementation of road clearing operations,” the press release noted.
Barangay Tanods are urged to conduct monitoring/ronda and ensure maintenance/sustainability of the cleanliness of all cleared roads within their respective jurisdiction.
During the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council-Technical Working Group meeting, a Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management representative noted that their response is hampered during emergencies because some barangays failed to maintain roads that have been cleared.
DILG Antique provincial director Cherryl Tacda said that gone are the days when the Punong Barangay and other barangay officials can make excuses for not complying with the presidential directive.
“We are expecting all of them to perform their respective roles and submit to our MLGOOs their compliance report on the second day of the ensuing month,” Tacda said.
Beginning January 2020, compliance of all Punong Barangays will be monitored by the DILG on a monthly basis. (PIA-Antique)
