60-day countdown for Metro Manila road clearing begins

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año (fourth from left) calls Metro Manila mayors to the Department of the Interior and Local Government office on Monday to announce the start of the 60-day deadline to clear roads in their respective jurisdictions of obstructions. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

“RECLAIM all public roads.” And so following the presidential directive the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has started the 60-day countdown for Metro Manila officials to clear all roads in their respective cities and municipality of obstructions, including removing illegal vendor stalls.

On Monday DILG secretary Eduardo Año met with Metro Manila mayors to begin the program to clear primary and arterial roads, as well as tertiary streets in residential areas, in the capital region.

“This [cleanup] program … in Metro Manila, as well as all over the country, is long overdue. We no longer have alibis not to do it when it is the President’s order,” Año was quoted in a Philippine Daily Inquirer report published today as saying in a news briefing.

The secretary called on the Metro Manila mayors to prioritize the clearing of primary and arterial roads that contribute to vehicular congestion on main thoroughfares, particularly Commonwealth Avenue, Osmeña Highway, Aurora Boulevard and C-5 Road. He added he would suspend any mayor who refuse or fail to act on the President’s order, the Inquirer report said.

“There is no room for compromise on this issue. It’s either black or white. I will not hesitate to submit to the President the names of stubborn local chief executives. If it all leads to a suspension, so be it. It is for the benefit of the people anyway,” Año was quoted as saying.

He asked the mayors to review and revoke existing city, town or barangay ordinances and resolutions allowing public roads and sidewalks to be used for barangay outposts, flea markets and public transport terminals.

The Interior secretary also reminded the mayors to provide vendors who will be displaced with alternative venues.

Metro Manila mayors will have the support of “the entire machinery of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, including the PNP,” Año was quoted in the report.