The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that all local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila complied with the 60-day deadline to clear roads of obstruction.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that the LGUs passed the test after over 600 roads in the National Capital Region were cleared.
The STAR reported that the cities that garnered the highest score of 90-100 percent were Marikina, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Pasay, Valenzuela, Makati, Pateros, Parañaque, and Navotas.
The medium-compliance cities that achieved 81 to 90 percent rating were Quezon City, Pasig City, Manila, and Muntinlupa City.
Meanwhile, Taguig City was at the bottom of the list after garnering a low compliance rating of 70-80 percent. A revalidation team will be dispatched to the city to review why it garnered the lowest compliance despite the directive.
“Lahat ay kumilos at nag-exert ng effort. Pero kanya kanyang area and peculiarity ang problema. Ganon talaga. Hindi pare parehas ang accomplishment (Everyone worked and exerted effort. But each area posed a particular problem. That’s the way it is. The accomplishments aren’t similar). There is also time for them to be able to finish their job” he added.
Among the criteria for compliance rating include the passage of ordinance for road management, inventory and actual clearing of roads, and measure for displaced or affected vendors.
Meanwhile, at least 97 city and municipal mayors could face charges for underperformance or non-compliance with the DILG directive.
The STAR reported that they were issued show-cause orders to explain the result of their performance within five days. Failure to comply could end up with their names being sent to Malacañang and face administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Show-cause orders will be issued to 80 barangays in Manila alone for non-compliance in the clearing operations.
Local executives found to have failed in complying with the directive will face charges for dereliction of duty and negligence and could possibly be put on preventive suspension.
In spite of that, the DILG gave the LGUs a passing grade of 80 percent after more than 6,800 roads have been reclaimed nationwide within the 60-day deadline.
Año said that he considers the achievement as successful after more than 75 percent of roads under inventory were cleared.
“Compared to 60 days ago and now, maraming pagbabago (there are lots of changes). We have feedback from the people and community. Itong problema na ito so many years napabayaan, nahirapan din ang LGUs and mayors natin (This is a problem that has been neglected for so many years, and our LGUs and mayors have had a difficult time),” he said in a press briefing.
After the months-long clearing operations, Año said that the task at hand now is to sustain the progress that has been achieved in the past weeks. This responsibility is now placed upon barangays.
A memorandum to institutionalize the clearing operations will be issued by the DILG by requiring a quarterly review of cleared roads. – With Romina Cabrera/STAR