Reclaim public roads used for private purposes, Duterte tells MMDA, LGUs

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday directed Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to suspend mayors and governors who do not comply with his order to reclaim roads that are being used for private purposes.

"Reclaim all public roads that are being used for private ends. Marami diyan," Duterte said in his fourth State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, as he addressed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and local government units.

Duterte made the call as he lamented the traffic congestion in the capital.

The Philippines is losing some P3.5 billion daily due to the traffic situation in Metro Manila, the latest study of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) revealed last year. — BM, GMA News