KIANGAN, Ifugao – The clearing of roads in the entire country has strengthened the enforcement of an ordinance in this town that puts prime on road safety.
In a meeting with members of the provincial validation team, Mayor Raldis Bulayungan said prior to the national order, the ordinance, which took effect in February, was hardly implemented.
He is thankful for the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s issuance of Memorandum Circular 2019-121 which mandates the clearing of roads from illegal structures, obstructions, and constructions.
The ordinance, which was crafted in support to Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, prohibits littering, throwing, and dumping of waste in public places such as roads, canals, sidewalks, or establishments.
It declared as its policies to protect its people from harm and its roads from destruction and therefore, rid it of any impediment to achieve not just a clean but also a clear, orderly and safe road both for motorists and non-motorists; promote peace and order, prevent damages or destructions of roads, untoward occurrences, accidents or inconveniences to all, and provide safe access or travel for vehicles and the public.
The provisions apply to dump trucks or any vehicle hauling sand, gravel, stones, hollow blocks, and other construction materials that might be spilled on thoroughfares; construction of humps or putting up of any structure obstructing the road, street or alley; drying of palay and other agricultural products; abandoned non-serviceable motor vehicles; construction waste and other materials; extended parking for motor vehicles along the road; heavy equipment with metal track pad, drilling, excavation or any activity modifying or destroying the road structure, exposed pipelines, double parking or parking on road curves or narrow roads, junked or abandoned tricycle sidecars and other motorcycle parts, rehabilitation and construction or any work undertaken on roads.
The ordinance sets fines for violators at P300 for the first offense, P500 for the second offense, and P1,000 for the third and succeeding offenses or imprisonment for a period of six months or both, at the discretion of the court.
The violator shall also be responsible for the clearing, removal, repair or cleaning of the obstruction, damage, or litter that he caused; refusal will lead to the filing of criminal, civil and administrative charges against the violator.– Dan B. Codamon
April 25, 2024
