Metro Manila LGUs confident they can beat 60-day deadline to clear roads

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also clears roads. FILE PHOTO / INQUIRER.NET

THE local government units in Metro Manila said they are confident in meeting the 60-day deadline to “clear all public roads” imposed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said local officials present at the 25th Metro Manila Council meeting held Tuesday have reported that intensified clearing of obstruction in their areas of jurisdiction are on track.

Mayor Francis Zamora reported 80% of roads in San Juan City have been cleared as he suspended existing ordinances allowing street parking, as well as implemented a no-parking policy on main roads and one-side parking at nighttime only, the MMDA said.

Zamora said the local government is now identifying idle lands which can be converted to parking infrastructures.

Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez cited clearing operations are still ongoing, particularly in vendor-infested Baclaran.

“In partnership with Pasay City government, we are holding dialogues with business establishments to accommodate 2,000 vendors who sell their goods on the roads. We want an ultimate solution to the problem,” said Olivarez.

Pasay City Mayor Imelda “Emi” G. Calixto-Rubiano said major thoroughfares have been cleared while 75% of the barangay roads have yet to be cleared, also in coordination with Parañaque City government.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said 50% to 60% of national and secondary roads have been cleared while tertiary roads are still being cleared. He said vendors who keep on returning to the streets remain a problem.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco said the city would be compliant with the deadline via its intensified clearing operations.

Taguig City Vice Mayor Ricardo Cruz, Jr. said majority of the national roads have been cleared of obstructions.

Makati City Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo said the local government had been clearing the city prior to the directive of President Duterte. She said they are monitoring the compliance of barangay captains to the directive.

Las Piñas City Vice Mayor April Aguilar reported 90% of the major thoroughfares in the city have been cleared.

A Quezon City official representing the local government said 142 barangays have been cooperative in the clearing operations.

Jimmy Isidro of Mandaluyong City said 100% of the city’s major roads have been cleared.

Cesar Chavez of the Manila City government said 90% of the Mabuhay Lanes have been cleared and will be turned over to barangay officials.

A Malabon City official said the local government has yet to clear the city’s secondary and tertiary roads in the remaining 30 days of the deadline.

A Caloocan City official said 100% of major roads have been cleared.

An official representing Muntinlupa City said 100% of the major roads have been cleared while clearing operations are still ongoing at barangay roads.

An official representing Pateros said 98% of the roads have been cleared.