DILG supervises road clearing in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Central Visayas office is taking over the supervision of road clearing operations in Metro Cebu in the aftermath of Typhoon Odette.

The Office of the Presidential Assistant to the Visayas (OPAV) said the move is seen to fast-track road clearing operations and hasten power restoration in areas devastated by the typhoon.

DILG regional director Leocadio Trovela said provincial and city directors in Cebu province have taken the necessary actions to address such concerns.

“Please be informed that the DILG through our provincial and city directors in Cebu province and three highly urbanized cities have undertaken interventions to address the matter,” the DILG said in a letter sent to the OPAV on Dec. 29.

As early as Dec. 20, DILG-Lapu-Lapu director Jonah Pino had issued a memorandum directing village officials to undertake clearing operations.

On Dec. 27, Ian Kenneth Lucero of DILG-Cebu City directed barangay officials to use their resources to assist the city government in clearing national and local roads of garbage and other debris.

Cebu City’s major thoroughfares are now 95 percent cleared of debris and garbage left by the typhoon.

Cebu City collected around 880 tons of garbage on Thursday, city administrator Suzanne Ardosa said.

Mayor Michael Rama ordered a citywide health and sanitation drive on Dec. 30 and Jan. 2 dubbed “Oplan Barug Sugbo.” – Mary Ruth Malinao/The Freeman