Manila thankful despite medium compliance with gov’t road clearing operations

October 11, 2019

The City of Manila said it is thankful despite having attained only medium compliance rating in the government's road clearing operations.

Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday announced the assessment of reports for road clearing operations.

According to Año, Manila was among the three cities which got medium compliance rating. The others were Pasig and Muntinlupa.

"The Manila City government is thankful to the Department of Interior and Local Government for the rating it has given in line with the President's directive to clear roads and sidewalks of obstructions," Manila Public Information Office Chief Julius Leonen said in a statement.

Manila, led by Mayor Isko Moreno, during the 60-day road clearing period tried to remove obstructions in roads and sidewalks but it failed to gain a high compliance rating.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya explained that even though Moreno ordered to clear portions of Manila, many road obstruction issues have existed for a long time.

"The problem in Manila is that it has many barangay halls that are occupying the sidewalks. A lot of obstructions have also been tolerated by the past administration," Malaya said.

"When the new mayor took his post, he had many problems which he needed to fix," he added.

The Manila government said it will continue to comply with DILG and President Rodrigo Duterte's mandate to abolish obstructions and reclaim primary and secondary roads in the city.

"The Manila City government will continue with what has already started. In line with Executive Order No. 43, barangay officials and several city government offices are mandated to regularly conduct a weekly clean-up drive," said Leonen.  Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS