13 villages told to submit progress report on demolition order

OF 61 barangays in Bacolod City, only 48 barangays complied with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to rid public streets of obstructions to facilitate the orderly use of thoroughfares.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that as of Tuesday, August 13, only 48 barangays had submitted their reports and they are still waiting for the report of the 13 barangays.

“It means they already started the demolition of illegal structures within their areas of jurisdiction and those who failed to submit reports are Barangays 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 26, 28, 34, 36, 37, 40, Pahanocoy, and Tangub,” he said.

He added that based on the initial report from the 48 barangays, there were a total of 3,761 illegal structures.

The barangay officials also distributed a total of 2,614 notices in various barangays to voluntarily demolish their illegal structures.

Leonardia said in the area of Barangay Banago, the officials demolished a total of 66 illegal structures.

“We expect that this record will increase as soon as the 13 barangays will submit their report,” he said.

He added that this is in pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2019-121 dated July 29, 2019 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directing the local government officials, from the mayors down to barangay captains, to implement the clearing of roads.

The mayor noted that they already submitted the report to the DILG since they have a timetable to demolish the illegal structures in the city.

In DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019-121 it stated that within 60 calendar days, significant results must be achieved, documented, and reported together with the efforts of the local government units to sustain the same.

Leonardia said there will be disciplinary consequences if this directive is not followed so the barangays should comply the order.

“All of these are meant to put order in Bacolod, to improve the flow of traffic and even a cleaner and more orderly look and this can be also considered part of the beautification and cleanliness program of the city. This is happening because we are getting the support and cooperation of our barangay officials, market vendors and the public in general,” Leonardia said.

For her part, Councilor Lady Gles Pallen, Barangay League president, said they received report that the said 13 barangays already demolished the illegal structures within their areas of jurisdiction, but they only failed to submit its report to the City Mayor’s Office.

“We are still waiting their documents to be submitted to the City Mayor’s Office so we can submit it to the DILG to prove their compliance,” she said.

She added the compliance of the barangays was closely monitored by the executive assistant from the City Mayor’s Office.

Pallen pointed out that the barangay officials are responsible to demolish the illegal structures within their areas of jurisdiction such as commercial spaces, houses, and stores.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said they also held a meeting with the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Bacolod City Water District, PLDT, and other telecom providers to remove their illegal structures in roads.

“They also assured us to remove their illegal structures such as electric posts and wires in various roads in the city and we expect that they will do it this week,” he said. (MAP)