LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Department of Interior and Local Government-Cordillera (DILG-CAR) on Wednesday, October 2, said most local government units (LGUs) in the region complied with the agency's 60-day drive to clear road obstructions.
DILG-CAR regional director Marlo Iringan said that to really determine whether there is a substantial compliance in LGUs, a provincial validation team composed of the DILG, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and members of the media and civil society groups was formed to validate.
“If the level of compliance is not 100 percent, we will require the LGUs to submit justification or explanation,” Iringan said.
Under the DILG Memorandum circular, the 60-day deadline lapsed on September 29 nationwide. On Friday, October 4, the DILG in the region submitted validation of the compliance of LGUs.
He added that LGUs in the region have complied, but the question lies whether if their compliance was 100 percent.
“An instrument was devised to determine the substantial level of compliance of LGUs. We will give the LGUs an opportunity to explain why that is their level of compliance. If the office will determine that the reason is not a valid reason that is the time charges will be filed to the OmbudsBenguet lauded for road clearing effortsman.”
The regional director also urged the LGUs to sustain the road-clearing drive.
“Make sure that the effort will be continued. Not only this time, but in the days to come. That is the reason why we are telling the mayors to involve the barangay officials. They are the ones always present in the community. They can easily monitor whether people will return to their old ways. They will again use the sidewalks for their private use,” he said.
In an assessment, Iringan commended the efforts of the officials and stakeholders on the sidewalks in La Trinidad.
“What is good is that people recognize the necessity of giving back the sidewalks to the pedestrians when they agreed to self-demolished their structures. Hindi iyong pinipilit mo sila,” he said.
Mayor Romeo Salda added that for its anti-obstruction operation, a creation of a task force seen to monitor in the barangay level.
An executive order in 2017 of the town prohibits all owners of business establishments, residential buildings, apartments and other similar buildings located along national highways, provincial, municipal and barangay roads from displaying their products and signage as well as allowing their customers to park in the sidewalk.