NCRPO supporting drive to reclaim sidewalks

July 26, 2019

The head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Friday expressed his support on the "reclaiming drive" or the sidewalk clearing operations of local government units. 

"The NCRPO is committed to support the directive of the President to reclaim public lands from unscrupulous persons who have made these lands private for their own use," said Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar in a statement. 

"We will give ample support to the clearing teams of local government units, the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority), and the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government)," he added. 

Eleazar said the local government units were given by Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano 45 days to clear public streets and sidewalks. 

He added that during the meeting with Ano, local government units were explained that merit sanctions and possible suspensions will be implemented if they fail to comply.  

"Anything being used for private gain, such as those being sold by sidewalk vendors, jeeps and buses parked in illegal terminals, motorcycles and tricycles being parked in streets and sidewalks, carenderias and others," said Eleazar as he laid down the targets covered.

Eleazar said police will protect and defend members of the clearing teams.  They will also closely monitor violators and prevent them from returning. 

"Historically, clearing efforts by the MMDA show that these violators come back to do their thing. The police will be more active and aggressive in confronting these violators," he said. 

President Rodrigo Duterte's directive, said Eleazar, is timely and in line with the "Intensified Cleanliness Policy" which was recently launched by NCRPO. 

"We started cleaning all our precincts and their surroundings to make sure we don't impede the flow of traffic and business in our areas. We now just make sure that our precincts stay clean." Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS