‘Clear public roads or face disciplinary actions’
MAYOR BENG CLIMACO has warned barangay chairmen who fail to clear public roads of all obstruction shall be slapped with disciplinary sanctions. Climaco’s warning came after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urges mayors to put their foot down, impose their authority, and hold barangay captains accountable for road obstructions.
The DILG was following President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to clear all roads of blockades or obstruction to ease the flow of traffic and movement of people within 60 days. “We have been deluged by complaints from the people about barangay captains who are failing to act and worse being complicit and actively tolerating road obstructions. The mayors have to make them accountable because that’s their mandate and responsibility,” DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said.
Malaya said under the Local Government Code, the mayors are the disciplining authority of barangay chairmen. “Impose your authority. Huwag ninyo nang i-asa pa ang pagbabantay sa mga barangay sa ating national government,” he said, citing Section 32 (of the Local Government Code) which states that “the city or municipality, through the city or municipal mayor concerned, shall exercise general supervision over component barangays to ensure that said barangays act within the scope of their prescribed powers and functions.”
In cases of resistance from barangay officials, Malaya said the mayors must exercise their political will and discipline these uncooperative community leaders. “Tapos na ang eleksyon. Trabaho na ngayon. Regardless of whether kapartido o hindi, they (mayors) should suspend or reprimand barangay captains who do not comply with the President’s directive,” he said, adding, road obstructions will not happen without the knowledge of the barangay chairmen.
“Sabi nga ni (DILG Secretary Eduardo) Secretary Año, imposibleng wala silang alam sa pagtatayo ng mga road obstruction na ‘yan. It is just proper that they rectify their actions by cooperating to the clearing operations of the local government unit,” Malaya added.
On July 29, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, through Memorandum Circular 2019-121, gave mayors 60 days “to exercise their powers essential to reclaim public roads which are being used for private ends, and in the process rid them of illegal structures and constructions.”
Following Duterte’s directive, Climaco – together with barangay officials – has been leading the massive operation called “Oplan Baklas” against road obstructions. Just last week, the mayor’s group and barangay leaders removed illegal structures in Barangay Suterville, San Jose Gusu area.
“We will implement President Duterte’s order, not only do we clean up the roads and sidewalks, but also we enforce the anti-littering, anti-garbage and anti-traffic laws and city ordinances,” Climaco said. “We expect all other barangays to do the same as monitoring will be done by the City Government which is tasked to submit report of compliance to the DILG. Disciplinary sanctions will be imposed on barangay officials who will fail to comply with the order within 60 days.”
But Climaco strongly stressed that she would take full responsibility if any of the barangay chairmen fail to implement the DILG order and Duterte’s directive to remove obstruction on all public roads. She also assured that those who will be displaced and whose livelihood is affected by the clearing operations “the city government will find a place for them to do decent and honest means of living.”
“In Zamboanga City, we balance between compliance with President Duterte’s order and the livelihood of the displaced (people). We need to give people the opportunity to earn honest livelihood for their families,” Climaco said.
City Administrator Apple Go said at least 23 of Zamboanga’s 98 barangays have already complied with Duterte’s order. The early compliant barangays were Tugbungan, Labuan, Capisan, Maasin, Mampang, Sangali, Zone 3, Tictapul, Mariki, Arena Blanco, Mercedes, Vitali, Zambowood, Quiniput, Santo Niño, Canelar, Tumaga, Campo Islam, Dulian-Pasonanca, Boalan, Camino Nuevo, Recodo and Cabatangan. (Zamboanga Post)
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