Aguilar vows to keep Las Piñas’ roads clear

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Imelda Aguilar on Monday committed to rid Zapote-Alabang Road and Las Piñas’ secondary roads of obstructions after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) gave the city a high compliance rating in road clearing operations.

The DILG last Friday posted on its website the evaluation and assessment report on the compliance of Metro Manila cities and municipalities to its Circular 121, based on President Duterte’s order to reclaim public roads from private users.

Las Piñas was among the 12 local government units in Metro Manila that got a high performance rating, which meant the LGU cleared 91 percent to 100 percent of its roads and sidewalks.

Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar again called on members of Task Force Kaayusan, barangay officials, homeowners’ associations to sustain the gains of the clearing operations.

The mayor cited the improved flow of traffic along Zapote-Alabang Road, the city’s main thoroughfare, as well as the removal of sidewalk vendors and demolition of overlapping structures, including the unfinished excavations by various service utilities.

“These obstructions must be permanently out from our main thoroughfare and the inner roads since the sidewalks are for the pedestrians and the roads to motorists,” Aguilar said.

Prior to the DILG directive, the task force – which Aguilar convened immediately after her reelection in May – conducted clearing operations.

The task force is composed of the city government’s estate management and development office, city engineering office and the city police.

Aguilar also ordered traffic enforcers to strictly implement City Ordinance No. 577-02, which prohibits all forms of traffic violations and obstructions along roads and sidewalks.