Mayor Benjamin Magalong assured barangays of the city’s support to strengthen the implementation in their jurisdictions of the Oplan Anti-Road Obstruction operation (ARO), a nationwide campaign to free national, city, and barangay roads from encroachments from public and private structures, as well as illegally parked motor vehicles.
Some punong barangays had been encountering difficulties in implementing the policy due to lack of manpower while others admitted helplessness due to headstrong constituents and even due to intimidation by arrogant residents.
Lower Quirino Hill Punong Barangay Van Dicang said some barangays really need reinforcement to fully implement the ARO drive.
He recommended a reorientation on the program and updating of the list of the deputized barangays officials along with a refresher on traffic management laws.
The mayor welcomed Dicang’s suggestions, saying he wants the campaign to succeed in the barangays.
The Oplan ARO implementation in the barangays is being supplemented by the different stations of the Baguio City Police and the Public Order and Safety Division.
Barangay officials were deputized to implement the program by virtue of an administrative order issued at the time of former mayor Mauricio Domogan in 2016.
Department of Public Works and Highways Department Order 73, s. 2014 prohibits within the road-right-of-way (RROW) of national roads, vending, repair of vehicles, and other businesses within the sidewalk and other parts of RROW.
In 2019, the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued Memorandum Circular 121-2019 ordering local government units and barangays to “return to public use, all public roads and sidewalks that have been appropriated for private use.”
At the close of the deadline given on the campaign that same year, Magalong mandated all barangay officials in the city to sustain the operations. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
April 25, 2024
