A PROMINENT businessman has praised President Rodrigo Duterte, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units for initiating a clearing drive on national and secondary roads all over the country.
Rene Romero, president of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCam), said the move is a welcome development for the business sector.
"I think it is a good move. It's a very welcome move particularly in the business sector. We are calling for that for a long time," he added.
While many businessmen will be affected by the road clearing, Romero said the program will bring back orderliness and progress in the entire country.
"It's true [that] some of our brothers in the business sector will be affected but this is for orderliness and progress. Although you are a businessman but you are the problem for the area to progress, at the end of the day you will suffer the consequence," he added.
Romero urged his colleagues in the business sector to support this government drive.
"Let us support this move. No doubt this is the right thing to do because the government roads are for the people and motorists to use. It's not for business, if you're in the business, your area should not obstruct the flow of the motorists and people," he said.
Romero cited the DILG directive, which will impose sanctions and suspensions on mayors and police chiefs who fail to implement the program.
"That is a directive of the DILG. If the mayor is suspended, the chief of police is included in the suspension if they fail to clear the road," the PamCham head said.
Romero also urged the government to give "alternative and opportunity" to traders like store owners and ambulant vendors displaced by the road clearing.
"We promote small businesses but we are not tolerating them if they are doing wrong," he said.