Raps await barangays that can’t sustain road clearing

CEBU, Philippines —  With the nationwide road clearing operation generally “successful,” sustaining the effort now lies with barangay officials. If they fail to sustain the state of their streets, they will be sued administratively.

"If it is found that the LGU did nothing, LGU officials concerned may be charged administratively. If the official/s involved is/are city official/s the administrative case may be filed before the Office of the President and the extreme penalty may be imposed is suspension. If the officials involved are municipal and brgy officials the complaint may be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman," said Leocadio Trovela, director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) - 7.

Possible administrative sanctions are what officials of local government units that failed to clear their streets within the time mandated by DILG. 

And while 75 percent of roads nationwide were cleared successfully in 90 days, at least 97 LGUs, seven of which are in Cebu, will be made to explain why they failed to comply with the president’s order.

Trovela said the DILG central office will evaluate the explanation from the 97 LGUs.

If the LGU does not submit an explanation or if DILG is dissatisfied by the explanation, the agency can file an administrative case against the LGU’s officials on the ground of dereliction of duty and/or negligence pursuant to Section 60 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Cebu LGUs

At least two mayors of the LGUs in Cebu that failed to comply are yet to receive the formal evaluation from DILG.

Pinamungajan Mayor Glen Baricuatro told The Freeman yesterday that they are hoping to receive the evaluation next week.

“DILG is not yet sending us the results of their evaluation. Maybe next week,” Baricuatro wrote.

He said most of the roads in Pinamungajan have been cleared of obstructions apart from roads at the municipality’s wet market.

“The municipal and barangay streets of Pinamungajan have already been cleared and freed from obstructions even before the deadline was set. What brought down our score were parked vehicles in the road adjacent to our public market making their deliveries of goods and commodities,” Baricuatro explained.

He assured that the town will regulate the vehicles’ delivery time and loading period.

“We will do what’s necessary to improve this situation. I am calling a meeting this Monday morning to meet the standards of DILG,” Baricuatro said.

Moalboal Mayor Paz Rozgoni has also yet to receive papers from DILG.

“Actually, I did not really receive any reports yet or the final results,” Rozgoni said yesterday.

She said it would have been better if DILG was clearer with specifics of its ultimatum as she reportedly received only a text message from the agency last September 30 that the clearing only covered municipal roads.

“Pagka September 30, on that very final day, the DILG was texting again that it’s only a municipal road. They did not really emphasize,” she said.  JMO  (FREEMAN)