The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged Monday the concerned local government units (LGUs) to intensify their respective road-clearing operations, reminding them that the 60-day deadline for its implementation will be on January 15.
DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2020-145 states that areas under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) should fully enforce RCO 2.0 (Road Clearing Operations 2.0) by January 15, which means the implementation of all components of road clearing.
The circular also states that full implementation includes the removal of road and sidewalk obstructions, conduct of road inventories, physical removal of road obstructions without prejudice to the property rights of the affected stakeholders, crafting and implementation of displacement plans, rehabilitation, and maintenance of cleared roads, and creation of a grievance mechanism.
LGUs under general community quarantine (GCQ) are expected to do a partial implementation of the RCO 2.0, which is limited to the actual or physical removal or abatement of road and sidewalk obstructions that are considered hazardous to motorists and pedestrians.
These include unauthorized parked vehicles, illegal structures, nuisances, and any other structures erected along or standing on, made immovable or otherwise, that impede safe and convenient passage through public road or sidewalk.
The DILG noted that road clearing operations are suspended in areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) and enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
“Now that the holidays are over, we expect all LGUs to pick up where they left off in their road clearing operations. They were supposed to start November 16 last year up to January 15,” said DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya. (Chito Chavez)
