The government is again extending the deadline for local officials to reclaim and clear public roads of all obstructions.
The Department of Interior and Local Government stated it is giving local government units until February 15, so they have enough time to prepare for their respective COVID-19 vaccination plans.
“The department is fully cognizant of the urgency for LGUs to prepare their vaccination plans against COVID-19 that’s why the road clearing timeline is extended anew. This is, however, the last extension to be granted by the DILG,” said DILG Undersecretary at spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.
The original deadline for the department’s Road Clearing Operation 2.0 (RCO 2.0) was supposed to be on Jan. 15 but was extended until Jan. 22 upon the request of the LGUs.
The campaign includes the removal of road and sidewalk obstructions, conduct of road inventories, physical removal of road obstructions without prejudice to the property rights of the affected stakeholders, crafting and implementation of displacement plans, rehabilitation, and maintenance of cleared roads, and creation of a grievance mechanism.
“The deadline of the submission of all consolidated validation reports from the DILG regional offices will be one week after the end of the validation period or on March 9, 2021. We will not allow any modification in the report after submission,” said Malaya.
At least 100 out of the 1,245 LGUs were found non-compliant of the campaign in 2019. Fifteen of these were filed with administrative cases by the DILG.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr., meanwhile, assured they will help LGUs in the National Capital Region in their road clearing operations.
Abalos tapped members of the agency’s Metro Parkways Clearing Group to assist the barangays and local enforcement teams in maintaining the cleanliness of the roads in Metro Manila.
The government resumed the campaign in November, eight months after it decided to suspend the campaign due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.
The MMDA with the help from police personnel and local enforcers initially cleared the obstructions along Mabuhay Lanes, which serves as alternate routes for private vehicles avoiding the congested Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
The MMDA reminded LGUs to observe minimum health standards when conducting the road clearing operations.
The authorities who will conduct clearing operations are required to wear face masks and face shields, practice physical distancing and other safety protocols to prevent the possible transmission of coronavirus disease.