The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has threatened mayors of Metro Manila of suspension should the issue of traffic congestion within their respective jurisdictions remain the same after 60 days.
DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing said that they are going to issue a memorandum order requesting all the mayors to submit their road network, road audit, and their plans on how to clear the streets.
Densing said that they will recommend for the suspension of mayors should they fail to address the traffic problem in two months.
The order came on the heels of President Duterte’s order to reclaim all public roads during his fourth State of the Nation Address. During his speech, Duterte asked the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and officials in Metro Manila to immediately solve the issue of traffic problem.
“This is in coordination with the local chief executives natin, importante dito magawa kaagad ito (It’s important that this be done) immediately because this is really an order from the President and we really just have to comply,” Densing told reporters.
“Ang sabi ni Presidente, once na nag-investigate kami, malinaw na may neglect of duty, wala nang dalawang salita, pipirmahan niya agad yung suspension (The President said that if, upon investigation, there is a clear neglect of duty, there won’t be two ways about it. He’ll sign the suspension order immediately),” he added.
Meanwhile, MMDA chairman Danilo Lim urged mayors to clear the Mabuhay Lanes and national roads from any form of obstruction such as illegally parked vehicles. – With Robertzon Ramirez/STAR