THE DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered the resumption of the road-clearing operation (RCO) in the country and gave local governments 60 days to comply with the Presidential directive.
The DILG was following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to clear all roads of blockades or obstruction to ease the flow of traffic and movement of people.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that with the improved quarantine classification in many areas, the road-clearing will officially commence on November 16 until January 15.
“Sisimulan na po ulit ang road clearing starting November 16. We hope that the
LGUs, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, will show the same enthusiasm and positive
results that they were able to achieve last year as we aim for safer and
accessible roads free from illegal and potentially hazardous encroachments. Despite
the January 15 deadline, we wish to remind the LGUs that RCO is year-long
endeavor, kaya kailangan natin ang kanilang commitment at pakikiisa,” Año said.
In the DILG Memorandum Circular 2020-145, Año said
though that the resumption of RCO will vary, in different degrees, depending on
the quarantine classification of a certain area. “We may have resumed RCO, but
we acknowledge the threat posed by Covid-19, hence, we still take into
consideration the quarantine classification of the LGU.”
He said that full implementation of the RCO will be enforced in areas under Moderate
General Community Quarantine and the New Normal or Post-Quarantine Scenario.
And partial implementation of the ROC will be executed by local governments under
General Community Quarantine, but suspended in areas under Moderate Enhanced
Community Quarantine and Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Año said that partial implementation in areas under GCQ is limited to the
actual removal or abatement of road and sidewalk obstructions that are
considered dangerous to motorists and pedestrians and road clearing for the
purpose of establishing bike lanes. He said full implementation in MGCQ areas
and below requires the local governments to adopt all components of the RCO as
provided by DILG Memorandum Circular 2020-027.
“We maintain the same resolve and principle as when we started this campaign.
Ito po ay para sa kaginhawahan ng ating mga mamamayan and we expect the LGUs
down to the barangays to deliver,” he said.
According to the memorandum, road obstructions such as vehicular terminals
except in areas designated by the local governments, vending sites, house
encroachments that obstruct the right-of-way, debris, waste materials, and
other junked items, among others must be cleared off roadways.
But parked ambulance and public emergency vehicles, checkpoints established by
Inter-Agency Task Force, local governments, police and military and temporary
obstructions caused by the establishment of bike lanes are exempted from being
removed or apprehended.
The banning of motorized pedicabs and tricycles on national roads and highways must be implemented by the local governments notwithstanding the rules and guidelines set by the Department of Transportation on the operation of tricycles during the community quarantine period. (Zamboanga Post and Mindanao Examiner)
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