Bacolod braces for public road clearing
BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia has asked the cooperation and participation of the barangay officials to remove the illegal structures within their areas of jurisdiction.
Leonardia, who held a meeting with all the village chiefs along with other city officials on Thursday afternoon, said this is in compliance with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to rid public streets of obstructions to facilitate the orderly use of thoroughfares.
“We cannot implement this without the participation of the barangay officials,” he said.
He added the barangay officials were also tasked to prepare inventory of these public roads and issue notices to the owner of the illegal structures until August 3.
Leonardia noted the affected residents will be given 10 days so they can prepare before the demolition of the structures.
“The 10-day grace period will allow owners to voluntarily remove their illegal structures. Failure to do so would force a city-sanctioned clearing operation,” Leonardia said.
He said the city government will also assist the barangay if they need more equipment for the demolition of the illegal structures with the assistance of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to ensure a peaceful implementation of the demolition.
On July 31, Leonardia called on the attention of the barangay officials in relation to the directive of President Duterte directive to rid public streets of obstructions to facilitate the orderly use of thoroughfares.
In his memorandum, Leonardia ordered the barangay officials to reclaim public roads that are used for private ends.
The memorandum cited that among the obstructions that would be removed are stalled vehicles especially, those that are no longer serviceable – whose owners make thoroughfares their virtual storage areas.
“We are expecting significant results from the barangay officials within 20 days,” Leonardia said.
The barangay officials were also reminded to be mindful of Section 30 of Republic Act 7279, or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992.
The law states that barangay, municipal or city government units shall prevent the construction of any kind of illegal dwelling units of structures within their respective localities.
“The head of any LGU concerned who allows, abets or otherwise tolerates the construction of any structure in violation of this section shall be liable to administrative sanctions under existing laws and to penal sanctions provided in this Act,” it added.
Leonardia disclosed that the removal of illegal structures will improve the traffic situation, and the orderliness of the city will be improved.*