DILG: Metro Manila village chiefs failed to clear roads

MANILA, Philippines – Many barangay captains in Metro Manila will be issued show cause orders over their failure to comply with the 60-day deadline to clear sidewalks and streets of obstructions, a Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) official said yesterday.

“They were given 60 days and they did not comply,” Undersecretary Martin Diño said in a press briefing at the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the DSWD’s partnership with the DILG for the conduct of the 3rd National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or Listahanan 2019 survey.

President Duterte ordered all local government units in the country to take back streets and sidewalks from private users in 60 days. The deadline lapsed on Sept. 29.

Diño said that in Manila alone, more than 400 barangay captains my be issued show cause orders.

For the rest of Metro Manila, he said the DILG is zeroing in on barangay captains who were remiss in clearing major roads and mabuhay lanes, streets that would allow motorists to avoid traffic on EDSA.

Diño said the barangay captains will be given a chance to air their side before the DILG issues suspension orders next week.