LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Armed with sledge and jackhammer, members of the La Trinidad Anti-Obstruction Task Force and Enforcement Team continue their road clearing operations.

With less than a week from the 60-day deadline set by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to local government units in the country to regain roads utilized for private use, two teams composed of 65 personnel from Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, tanods, punong barangays, DILG, Department of Public Works and Highways, and other members conducted anti-obstruction drive operations along Kilometer 6 and Barangay Balili on Wednesday, September 25.

Mayor Romeo Salda reiterated Executive Order 2-2017, prohibiting all owners of business establishments, residential buildings, apartments and other similar buildings located along national highways, provincial, municipal and barangay roads from using their frontage, sidewalks and road right of way for displaying their products and signages.

The Anti-Obstruction Task Force of La Trinidad, headed by the local chief executive and the chief of municipal police station, was created to oversee the implementation of clearing of all national and local road networks and sidewalks from any obstructions.

Prior to inspection conducted by anti-obstruction committee on September 5-12, establishment owners were requested to dismantle materials obstructing roads.

To recall, the DILG, pursuant to the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte, issued Memorandum Circular 2019-121, ordering the clearing of roads of illegal structures.

The DILG memorandum emphasized the purposes of removal of road obstructions and cannot be utilized for road widening.

Police Major Roldan Cabatan, La Trinidad Municipal Police Station chief, said 714 illegally parked vehicles from July 30 to September 23 were apprehended, with 233 driver's license and 481 license plates confiscated.

The DILG has created a validation team to ensure LGUs in the country are on the same page in the implementation of the memorandum circular.