Road obstructions in Masantol removed

KNEE-DEEP floodwater did not stop officials of Masantol from removing illegal structures and obstructions along roads in the town in compliance with the Department of the Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular 2019-121.

Vice Mayor Epifanio Lacap, the interim mayor, led the demolition of structures in several villages, including those in the public market, that encroached sidewalks.

Among the structures that were hit by the road clearing operations include portions of business establishments, sari-sari stores, residential houses and make-shift parking spaces, as well as a newly-constructed barangay hall in San Nicolas.

Lacap said the road clearing operations, spearheaded by village chairmen and local authorities, will continuously be in full swing before the September 29 deadline, when the last obstruction is removed.

"All residents were given proper notice and we already gave them ample time for everybody to comply, but now that we're inching closer to the deadline, we had to do our part to be able to comply with President Rodrigo Duterte's directive," he said.

Lacap, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to Masantoleños for their full cooperation in the clearing operations, especially those who immediately abided by the directive and voluntarily dismantled their properties.

He asked residents near public roads to avoid reconstructing the removed obstructions, as well as parking their cars and motorcycles illegally, as the local government will continue to monitor the areas and impose sanctions on violators.