The city government is inclined to aggressively implement its road recovery program especially at road rights-of-way encroached by individuals and business establishments.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong ordered the creation of a technical working group to complete the study on encroachments and recommend how to implement the recovery of roads to allow smooth passage of pedestrians and motorists.
He also tasked the City Buildings and Architecture Office to implement the removal of temporary structures built on RROW in the different parts of the city to send a clear message that the local government will not tolerate the presence of illegal structures.
One of the purposes of the road recovery program is to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
The TWG is composed of representatives from the City Mayor’s Office, City Engineering Office, City Planning and Development Office, CBAO, City Assessor’s Office, City Environment and Parks Management Office, City Legal Office, and the Department of Public works and Highways District Engineering Office.
Traffic Management Division head Januario Borillo said among the concerns uncovered by the TWG in the initial rollout of the road recovery program are use of ROW as parking spaces and encroachment of informal settlers.
Borillo also raised the absence of definite widths of national roads, particularly Palispis-Aspiras Highway, Quirino Highway, Kennon Road, and Loakan Road, which affects development in these areas.
He said there were also titles that were issued on ROWs aside from the fact that business establishments were able to operate without building and business permits.
The CBAO will verify compliance of identified buildings and businesses to the National Building Code, while the CEO will continue to identify other buildings and businesses that have encroached on ROW.
The CEO, CBAO, City Assessor’s Office and General Services Office will also conduct survey on site and for the CBAO and DPWH to issue notices of violation and the City Legal Office will facilitate hearings and document compliance. – PIO release
