Marikina complies with DILG clearing deadline

August 15th, 12:20am August 15th, 12:20am Neil Alcober

Marikina City has fully complied with the 60-day deadline of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to clear roads and sidewalks of obstructions in Metro Manila, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro declared yesterday.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año had earlier lauded Marikina City for being obstruction-free and having walkable sidewalks.

It can be recalled that Año met with Metro Manila mayors to tell them that they had 60 days to clear their respective cities of all obstructions, and make sure that their streets are safe and clean for the public.

“We have 100 percent complied with the 60-day deadline given by DILG. In our comprehensive manual report, you will see that we have indicated numerous remarks as being ‘not applicable.’ Because, we have already cleared numerous sidewalks.,” Teodoro said.

DILG told the mayor that they might adopt Marikina’s manual report as best practice.

“We asked if we still have to submit a report, since Marikina no longer has obstructions.

Secretary Año said that yes, just for compliance. He said they want to know how we did it, and so that DILG can use our manual report as benchmark for other cities in Metro Manila,” he added.

He said they will furnish a copy of their report to the Metro Manila Council (MMC) for the reference of other Metro Manila mayors.

Marikina City has a total of 376 kilometers of sidewalks.

Teodoro said the real challenge for Metro Manila mayors is how to sustain the cleanliness of their respective cities after conducting clearing operations.

“The most challenging part is sustaining the sidewalks and roads, making sure that they are always clean and walkable,” the mayor said.

“Here in Marikina, we have been educating our people way back when I was still a councilor. It was not an easy task but it is doable. We make our residents understand that the roads and sidewalks should always be free from obstructions as it will equate to order and smooth flow of vehicles in the city,” he explained.

“Sidewalks are beyond the homes of men. These are not for personal or commercial interests but are part of the public domain,” he added.

Other Metro Manila local chief executives have told Teodoro they want to go to observe Marikina city and how it was able to keep its sidewalks and roads clear of obstructions.

The Marikina mayor said 30 percent of roads and sidewalks in Metro Manila are clogged because of various types of obstructions.

He believes that 60 days is enough for Metro Manila mayors to rid other cities of obstructions.