BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia has directed all barangay officials and employees to comply with the strict implementation of the continuous program of the government in road clearing and demolition of illegal structures.
The mayor said village officials have the primary responsibility to maintain and sustain the clearing of roads.
In Memorandum Order No. 3, he ordered them to submit reports on roads and areas identified for clearing.
Based on the validation report of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), as of 18 October 2019, the City of Bacolod achieved 87 percent medium compliance.
“When we got 87 percent we did not complain; we feel that we have done enough considering that we have this ongoing implementation of the DILG memorandum,” Leonardia said.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, on his part, said there are areas for clearing that belong to private owners that explains why the city got only 87 percent.
“If it is used as a dwelling, we need to follow the process. There are still property owners who have land titles that need to be expropriated by the government yet,” Familiaran added.
As of press time, there were more than 11,000 reported illegal structures in the barangays and more than 9,000 have been cleared.
The DILG will continue to monitor road clearing operations and will conduct on-site validations on a quarterly basis to make sure that the cleared roads and sidewalks remain free from obstruction.
DILG Bacolod City Director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag, meanwhile, warned village officials they may be sanctioned with criminal and administrative charges should they fail to comply with the mandate imposed upon them.
“We are going to report and monitor uncooperative barangay officials but we will validate first,” Madayag said.
