City folks urged: Don’t use streets for wakes, etc.

CEBU, Philippines — Councilor David Tumulak wants the streets in Cebu City cleared of wakes, private celebrations, nightly festivities, and private parties.

It seems customary in the Philippines for those who don’t have space in their residence to use spaces outside their homes, including public roads. Even barangays close public roads to hold activities and celebrations.

But these activities now run contrary to a directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to have all roads cleared of any obstruction, as well as to an existing order of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In a resolution he sponsored before the City Council, Tumulak asked that residents in Cebu City refrain from holding activities that obstruct vehicle traffic, for one.

He asked officers of chapels in barangays to limit holding festivities on the streets.

He also asked barangay officials to help the city enforce the president’s order.

Duterte has directed the Department of Interior and Local Government to reclaim all public roads and clear them of obstructions to decongest traffic.

On July 29, 2019, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año issued Memorandum Circular No. 2019-121 instructing all local government units in the country to clear all public roads in their respective jurisdictions of any obstructions.

Meanwhile, the DPWH Order No. 73 series of 2014 prohibits all kinds of temporary structures to be built within the right-of-way of national roads.

“Temporary structures built along public roads and thoroughfares which are used to hold wakes, private celebrations, nightly festivities and similar private parties pose danger among the motorists and the passers-by alike and even risking the lives and safety of the concerned families or individuals,” Tumulak’s resolution reads.

Tumulak cited a report, which said that 1.35 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes with more than half of all road traffic death are among vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

“These temporary structures built along public roads and thoroughfares used for private purposes also contribute to the worsening traffic situation in the City,” his resolution reads further. (FREEMAN)