MANILA, Philippines — Clearing roads of obstructions in Marikina was an easy feat for Mayor Marcelino Teodoro as the city achieved it way ahead of other local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila.
Teodoro said all roads, including 376 kilometers of sidewalks, were reclaimed in just 17 days, well within the 60-day deadline imposed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The DILG last July 29 ordered local chief executives across the country to reclaim public roads from public users in compliance to President Duterte’s directive.
For Teodoro, President Duterte’s order can be easily achieved by sheer political will.
“The real challenge for us is really how to sustain obstruction-free roadways, making people really understand the importance of public space,” he said in an interview over “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News on Monday.
To achieve this goal, Teodoro said other local chief executives should instill discipline among their constituents, unpopular as it may be.
Teodoro admitted he had an easier task as most of the roads were already cleared even during the time of former mayor and incumbent District 1 Rep. Bayani Fernando.
Even when he did not agree with all of Fernando’s policies, Teodoro lauded the former mayor of creating a culture of discipline in Marikina where majority of citizens follow rules and regulations.
The difference with Marikina’s mayors compared to other LGUs is they don’t have the habit of changing the good programs of their predecessors, Teodoro said.