THE local government of Apalit has started removing the illegal structures and obstructions in compliance with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular 2019-121.
Several residential houses and even business establishments along the major thoroughfare were hit by the road clearing activities ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte.
A community police action center situated across the town's public market in Barangay San Vicente was also demolished after it was found encroaching the sidewalk.
Numerous ambulant vendors doing business along the sidewalks were also relocated to ensure that the area will be freely available to pedestrians.
Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr. said the local government is strictly implementing the order from the National Government that aims to give back what is due to pedestrians and motorists.
"Most of them made use of the public area for their own benefit, some of them even gain profit from it so it's now time to return what is for people. And we are grateful also that we are getting maximum cooperation from the house owners and businessmen," he said.
He also urged remaining ApaliteƱos who have yet to comply to the order to voluntarily remove their properties that encroached the public roads or the municipal task force will do it for them.
"We are asking for your cooperation. After all, we all know that this is for our own good as it will minimize the traffic and provide safe space for pedestrians," Tetangco said.