Bontoc, Mountain Province – For the past consecutive days, the Bontoc Municipal Government with the aid of its partner agencies had been stern in exercising its powers in removing illegal structures and constructions, and obstruction along the thoroughfares of this capital town.
This, as an immediate response to the memorandum order of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to all Local Chief Executives (governors, mayors and Punong Barangays) to clear public roads of illegal structures and constructions as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte in his 2019 State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Per DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019 – 121, local chief executives are directed to revoke permits that give authority to private entities to occupy public roads, alleys, and other thoroughfares.
Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey who led the team during the clearing operation on September 3, 2019, emphasized that the removal of illegal structures and constructions, and clearing of any obstruction on alleys, streets, and sidewalks under the area of jurisdiction of the municipal government is necessary, giving primary importance on the safety of the public.
Odsey mentioned that common obstructions that were removed were illegally parked vehicles, motorcycles, and tricycles; sand and gravel stock piled on sides of the road. Aside from this, vendors, store owners, and business establishments were directed to remove their products which they display on the alleys.
With this, the mayor enjoined the compliance and cooperation of everyone for it to be sustained.
Prior to the clearing operation, the Bontoc Municipal Traffic Task Force and the Business Permit and Licensing Office and the Office of the Municipal Mayor in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Bontoc Municipal Police Station (MPS), Bontoc Municipal Traffic Enforcers Volunteer Organization (BMTEVO) and concerned barangay officials conducted an assessment and validation; and notified the concerned individuals to clear the alleys and roads that they occupied of any obstruction. **Alpine L. Killa & Elizabeth S. Farnican, Bontoc -LGU
