SIDEWALK clearing operations will continue even after the lapse of the 60-day deadline issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the head of the local traffic management unit said.
"Ang clearing will be implemented hantod makita nato nga clear na ang area. Bisan humana atong deadline, padayon gihapon ato himuong clearing operation (The clearing operation will still be enforced until all areas will be cleared from obstruction, even if we are already way passed the deadline)," City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) head Dionisio Abude said on Monday, September 30, 2019.
Abude said that prior to the issuance of DILG Memorandum Circular 121-2019 which mandates all local government units (LGUs) to remove road obstructions, CTTMO has been conducting surveillance and has issued notices of violation to some 100 establishments.
In a previous report, he said establishments are given until the end of September to clear their premises of illegal structures.
However, the official said these establishments were given enough time as they were given notices prior to the scheduled operation since last week.
"Katong mga nakadawat og notice, dapat sila na mismo nagtanggal og nag-clear sa ilang area. Aduna'y nagcomply. Pero aduna sab nga nagmadili. Maong kami na mismo nagtanggal (Those who were given notices should be the ones who will remove these obstructions. There were those who complied, while some who did not do their part)," Abude said, refuting claims that their clearing operations are "anti-poor".
He said they issued the notices earlier so that establishments and sidewalk vendors who will be affected could prepare and vacate the area.
"Kaning sa mga vendors, di mi gusto nga mandampot sa ilang mga stall. Makasabot man mi nga naa sila'y gikapital aning ilang baligya. Maong gihangyo namo sila nga mukusa nalang gyud og hipos (We considered the vendors as well, since they had invested some capital on their stalls. That's why we asked them to voluntarily remove their stalls ahead)," Abude said.
CTTMO inspected and cleared establishments issued with the notices.
He also said they towed illegally parked cars on sidewalks.
Along with other local agencies such as the Ancilliary Services Unit (ASU), City Engineer's Office (CEO) and the Office of the City Building Official (Ocbo), they will also remove permanent structures that obstruct the sidewalks.
Abude said establishments who would still insist of putting back illegal structures will have their businesses cancelled at the City Business Bureau. (With reports from Grace Daypan, UM Intern)