BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan wants the Department of Public works and Highways – Baguio City District Engineering Office (DPWH-BCDEO) to cooperate with the local government in clearing the road-right-of-way of national roads from structures of informal settlers and motor vehicles that impede the smooth flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic in various parts of the city.
The local chief executive claimed owners of structures erected within the road-right-of-way of national roads have already committed two violations: one, is the encroachment to the existing road right-of-way of national roads, and second, the absence of building and occupancy permits as the City Building Official will not issue similar permits to structures built over road-right-of-way.
“The clearing of our national roads from obstructing structures and motor vehicles should be a joint effort of the public works department and the local government to send a stronger message to violators that we mean business in getting rid of such obstructions,” Domogan stressed.
He pointed out DPWH-BCDEO officials should also sign the required demolition orders against those who encroached on the road-right-of-way while the city will issue the demolition order against the informal settlers for their failure to secure the mandatory building permit and the subsequent occupancy permit.
According to him, local officials are alarmed over the increasing number of illegal structures that encroach into the road-right-of-way of national roads around the city and the local government is being blamed for the mushrooming of illegal structures when in fact, it is the joint obligation of the city and the DPWH to prevent the illegal structures along said roads.
Domogan disclosed closer coordination between the DPWH and the local government is required in formulating a comprehensive plan of action that allow the synchronized issuance of demolition permits for the immediate removal of the illegal structures built on the road-right-of-way of national roads and contribute to both traffic decongestion and beautification.
He called on DPWH officials to cooperate with the programs of the local government to get rid of illegal structures on the road-right-of-way of national roads, thus, the joint issuance of demolition orders to synchronize actions that will discourage land speculators from trying their luck in building their houses along national roads.
On the other hand, he also warned land speculators not to build structures on the road-right-of-way of national roads because they will just be wasting their time, effort and resources since the DPWH and the local government will demolish such structures once found to be in violation of existing laws, rules and regulations.
By Dexter A. See
