THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday, October 11, said the nationwide road clearing efforts by local government units (LGUs) have been “generally successful” as only 97 out of the 1,245 LGUs all over the country -- Minalin town in Pampanga included -- have been found to be non-compliant and will be issued show cause orders by the department.
“I want to express my happiness for the commitment and active participation by LGUs across the country towards this campaign. Sa kabila ng mga balakid at pagsubok na kanilang dinaanan, masasabi ko pong malaking bahagdan o porsyento ng mga pamahalaang lokal sa bansa ang nakiisa sa ating layunin. Salamat po sa inyo!” said DILG Secretary Eduardo Año during Friday’s press conference.
“We congratulate the LGUs for their commitment. Sa totoo lang, mahirap itong trabahong ito but despite this, we have achieved a resounding participation and compliance from a greater number of LGUs,” he added.
The DILG secretary, however, said that despite the significant success in road clearing, “we must be strict and abide with our own pronouncement of imposing corresponding sanctions to non-compliant LGUs.”
“Following the strenuous validation efforts of the DILG, 97 LGUs all over the country which were non-compliant will be issued Show Cause Orders. These were LGUs that garnered a failed rating in the validation conducted by the Department,” he said.
Of the 97 LGUs, 11 are from Ilocos Region, one each from Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon, seven from Mimaropa, ten from Bicol Region, one from Western Visayas, 12 from Central Visayas, nine from Eastern Visayas, 18 from Zamboanga Peninsula, 13 from Northern Mindanao, three each from Davao Region and Soccsksargen, and four each from Caraga and CAR.
“As clearly stated by the President in his SONA, sa kabila ng ating tagumpay, mahalaga din na makita ng ating mga kababayan na dapat may managot sa hindi pagtupad sa kautusan ng Pangulo,” said Año.
The DILG secretary said the 97 non-compliant LGUs are given five days from receipt of the show cause orders for them to explain their non-compliance, otherwise the DILG will have no recourse but to submit their names to the President and file the necessary complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman.
“We hope that their reasons are acceptable so that we do not need to file cases against them,” he said.
He added that the non-compliance or underperformance of the 97 LGUs must not outweigh the outstanding performance of most LGUs spearheaded by the cities of Metro Manila.
According to the data collected by the DILG Validation Teams, 12 of the Metro Manila LGUs have a High Compliance rating, four LGUs have Medium Compliance rating, while one LGU has registered a Low Compliance rate. Despite many issues confronted, all of them were quick to enact or revise ordinances and conduct an inventory of roads to be cleared, among other indicators.
Garnering a high compliance rating are Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Valenzuela, Pateros, and San Juan. On the other hand, the cities of Manila, Muntinlupa, Pasig and Quezon City got a Medium Compliance rating, while Taguig City received a Low Compliance rating.
The DILG Chief says that the Metro Manila LGU performance rate to a total of 612 roads cleared and are now passable and can be used by the public. “Nakakatuwa kasi, all of them were quick to enact or revise ordinances and conduct an inventory of roads to be cleared while registering an almost flawless performance in other indicators,” he said.
Año said that the compliance rate from Metro Manila LGUs is a great platform for other traffic management initiatives that call for LGU-participation and a huge contribution in the efforts of the government to alleviate the traffic problem in the Metropolis.
“We all know that it would take more efforts to really improve the traffic situation in our country but this is a good start for the government. All major streets leading to major thoroughfares are now cleared, malaking bagay po ito,” he added.
Nationwide compliance
DILG Secretary Año said in terms of nationwide compliance to DILG MC 2019-121, a total of 1,148 have passed the DILG validation with 328 registering High Compliance rating, followed by 497 for Medium Compliance, and 323 under Low Compliance.
He added that among the highly compliant regions are Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, and CAR.
“The regions did not disappoint. We are happy to share that our road clearing campaign is also thriving in all parts of the country as mirrored through the numbers from our validation efforts,” Ano said.
“Batay sa mga report mula sa 1,148 na mga LGU, 6,873 mga kalsada sa buong bansa ang naibalik na sa publiko bunga din ng pakikiisa ng mga pamahalaang lokal sa mga lalawigan, lungsod at bayan sa bansa,” he added.
Año said that given the significant success of the road clearing, the nationwide road clearing program of the DILG will continue and that the validation of the DILG will now be done on a quarterly basis.
“We therefore urge the public to continue reporting and be vigilant and cooperate to ensure the long-term success of the program,” he said. (PR)