Sambag 2 seeks city’s aid in road clearing directive

CEBU, Philippines —  The City Legal Office (CLO) has issued a clearing order for illegal structures in Barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City.

This, after Sambag 2 Barangay Captain Ryan Aznar had complained about the illegal structures within their territorial jurisdiction.

CLO Chief Rey Gealon said that the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, Enhancement (PROBE) has conducted an inspection in the area.

“These structures, either dwellings or stores, were found by PROBE inspectors to be within public roads which is beyond the commerce of man and must be for public use and not for private enterprise,” said Gealon.

Based on the inspection/validation report dated February 3, the PROBE found out that there are existing illegal structures used as dwelling and stores by its occupants within a public road lot particularly at M. Oyson Street, M.H. Aznar Road, J. Urgello Street and Aznar Road.

Gealon said that pursuant to DILG Memorandum No. 2019-121 dated 29 July 2019 and City Ordinance No. 1481, these illegal structures may be summarily demolished without prejudice to prosecution of the offenders for likewise violating the Building Code of the Philippines.

“Based on the foregoing, the CLO opined that there is no legal impediment to issue a clearing order in these areas where illegal structures are found,” said Gealon.

To recall, Attorney Ian Lucero, chief of the Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the DILG-7, said that should barangays find it hard to comply with the road clearing requirement, they may seek assistance from the city government.

There were reports of complaints raised by some barangays that have difficulty complying with DILG’s directive for all governors, mayors, and punong barangays to clear roads of any obstructions pursuant to President Duterte’s order.

Lucero said that there is a process that allows the barangay captains to seek Cebu City Legal Office’s help on the matter.  GAN (FREEMAN)