The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminds all local government units (LGUs) to resume the nationwide Road-Clearing Operations 2.0 (RCO 2.0) in their respective areas and expedite implementation as the 60-day deadline ends on January 15.
“Now that the holidays are over, we expect all LGUs to pick up where they left off in their road clearing operations. They were supposed to start November 16 last year up to January 15,” said DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya.
He stressed that while the deadline ends on January 15, the road clearing operation is a year-round activity that requires sustained effort and implementation.
“Balik trabaho na naman po tayo kaya kailangan nating seryosohin ang road clearing para sa mas maluwag na lansangan at para na rin sa kapakanan nating lahat,” he said.
According to the DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2020-145, those areas under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) should fully implement the RCO 2.0 by January 15, which means the implementation of all components of road clearing.
The circular also states that full implementation includes the removal of road and sidewalk obstructions, conduct of road inventories, physical removal of road obstructions without prejudice to the property rights of the affected stakeholders, crafting and implementation of displacement plans, rehabilitation, and maintenance of cleared roads, and creation of a grievance mechanism.
LGUs under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) are expected to do a partial implementation of the RCO 2.0, which is limited to the actual or physical removal or abatement of road and sidewalk obstructions that are considered hazardous to motorists and pedestrians.
These include unauthorized parked vehicles, illegal structures, nuisances, and any other structures erected along or standing on, made immovable or otherwise, that impede safe and convenient passage through public road or sidewalk.
Meanwhile, road clearing operations are suspended in areas under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
Malaya said that validation of provincial, city, and municipal compliance would be conducted from January 18 to 22, 2021. Included in the items to be validated by the DILG Validation Teams are the Tricycle Route Plans in their respective areas to ensure that alternate routes are provided to tricycles which are prohibited by law from operating on national highways across the country.
He also reminds all LGUs to observe minimum health standards as they resume their road clearing operations.
“As we begin the New Year, we must also continue our transition to the new normal. This calls for the need to ensure that our roads remain safe, accessible, and free from illegal and potentially hazardous encroachments,” he said.
“Sa pagpapatuloy po ng serbisyo sa bagong taon ay huwag po nating kalimutan ang pagkakaroon ng disiplina sa pagsusuot ng face mask at face shield, paghuhugas ng kamay at pag-distansya ng isang metro,” he added.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte retained the GCQ classification of the National Capital Region (NCR) and Davao City effective January 1 until January 31, 2021, subject to LGUs’ appeals.
Also under GCQ are Isabela, Santiago City, Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban City, Lanao del Sur, Iligan City, and Davao del Norte.
All other areas are placed under MGCQ.