Año wants public roads clear of obstructions on or before September

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday said he will give mayors until September to clear public roads in their respective areas of any obstruction.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Año said he will give the order to the city mayors and administrators later in the day during a meeting.

"Gusto ko nga 30 days lang. Mamaya sa pakikipag-usap ko sa mayors at city administrators baka humingi ng palugit yan, umabot ng 60 days. Pero ang gusto ko diyan bago mag-Setyembre o within September malinis na lahat," he said.

Año on Duterte’s order to reclaim public roads: Ang gusto ko diyan bago mag-Setyembre, within September [ay] maayos ‘yan (public roads).

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 25, 2019

Año said he wants vendors, basketball courts and even barangay halls and police precincts removed from all public roads.

"Ang kalsada ay ginawa para daanan ng commuters, hindi para gawing tindahan o parking [space]," he said.

Año, a former military chief of staff, said the DILG has power to probe local government officials who can't enforce city ordinances, including those regarding the proper use of public roads and sidewalks.

"Ang ating Pangulo, base sa ating Konstitusyon at Local Government Code, ay merong supervisory powers over local chief executives at yan ay dini-delegate niya sa akin lalo na sa aspeto ng pag-iimbestiga. But of course ang final approval ay sa ating Pangulo," he said. —KBK, GMA News