97 mayors face raps over road clearing operations

MANILA, Philippines — With over 6,800 roads nationwide reclaimed from private use, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said local government units (LGUs) got a passing grade of 80 percent in their road clearing operations.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said 97 city and municipal mayors could face charges for underperformance or non-compliance with DILG Memorandum 2019-121. 

Año said concerned local government executives were issued show cause orders and asked to explain their side within five days.

“Otherwise the DILG will have no recourse but to give their names to the President and file cases against them before the Office of the Ombudsman,“ he said. 

Año said he would recommend charges for dereliction of duty and negligence as well as preventive suspension against erring mayors.

He said he considers the endeavor, which is based on President Duterte’s directive to reclaim public roads, successful, as 75 percent of roads in the inventory were cleared. 

“Compared to 60 days ago and now, maraming pagbabago. We have feedback from the people and community. Itong problema na ito for so many years napabayaan. Nahirapan din ang LGUs and mayors natin,” Año told a press briefing. 

He said all LGUs in Metro Manila passed the test with over 600 roads cleared in various extents.

The criteria for rating compliance include the approval of ordinances on road management, inventory and actual clearing of roads, and measures for displaced or affected vendors. 

Año said the challenge now is to sustain gains achieved in the past two months, which is delegated to barangay officials.

The DILG is set to issue a memorandum to institutionalize clearing operations by mandating a quarterly review of cleared roads.