ROAD CLEARING ISSUES CLARIFIED
By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros, GPC–SP | Photo By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros, GPC-SP | Date: September 30, 2019
Provincial Engineer Ressie Estrella presents the Kalsada Program of the Provincial Government of La Union during the Committee Hearing of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee on Environment, Energy, Human Ecology and Security on September 30, 2019 at the Eriguel Hall, SP Building, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union. The Committee Hearing was conducted as an inter-agency consultation relative to the implementation of Memorandum Order 2019-121 of the Department of Interior and Local Government on the clearing of roads for pedestrians, particularly on the environmental impact and issues of the activity.
In a committee hearing conducted on September 30, 2019, the issues and concerns on the road clearing operations conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Provincial Government of La Union, Local Government Units (LGUs), and other concerned agencies were discussed and clarified.
The Committee on Environment, Energy and Human Ecology and Security chaired by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member (SPM) Abraham P. Rimando invited the DPWH, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine National Police (PNP), the private sector representatives and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for an inter-agency dialogue or public consultation regarding the implementation of the DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2019-121 on the clearing of roads of illegal structures and constructions which was requested by Ms. Cristina Antonio, President of the San Juan Resort Restaurant Hotel Association through a letter.
During the hearing, District Engineer Emil R. Ganaden of the 1st Engineering District of the DPWH informed that with or without the memorandum circular, it is their mandate to reclaim the roads as provided under Department Order No. 73-2014 anchored in Presidential Decree 17 or the Revised Philippine Highway Act of 1953 which prohibits encroachments and use thereof of any portion of the road right of way of 20 meters. According to him, the law provides that any structure within the 20 meter road right of way is considered illegal structure or obstruction. Though the MC 121-2019 is not about road widening the DPWH is mandated to reduce traffic and part of their strategy is to reclaim or widen the road and remove obstructions which will affect the road widening.
Likewise, Provincial Engineer Ressie Estrella presented the Kalsada Program of the province which is a joint advocacy and commitment of various agencies spearheaded by the SP Committee on Public Works and Utilities chaired by SPM Maria Annabelle S. de Guzman to ensure that the national and provincial roads within the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of La Union are safe and free of obstructions. He informed that prior to the issuance of the MC, the province is already conducting clearing operations since 2016.
Several presentations were also made during the said hearing; the PNP reported on the data on vehicular traffic incidents wherein trees are figured into road accidents for CY 2016-2019; DENR presented the status/updates on the cutting of trees along Manila North Road within the jurisdiction of the province; and the DILG explained the eight directives of MC 121-2019 including the activities they have undertaken to implement the said directive.
Based from the discussions and exchange of ideas from the participants, the body arrived with these conclusions: for future infrastructure projects, the DPWH will consider more resilient design; include CSOs as members of the Kalsada Program; conduct of more public consultation and public information awareness with regards to the road clearing/widening activity; and the LGUs are mandated to continue with the road clearing operations as mandated under MC 121-2019.
