Metropolitan Manila Development Authority traffic and road-clearing task force chief Bong Nebrija admitted over the weekend that the agency cannot force barangay officials to conduct road-clearing operations in their respective areas.

Nebrija explained that it is for this reason that the MMDA has always been seeking the help of local government units down to the barangay level to help in removing road obstructions to ease heavy vehicular traffic in the interconnected Metro Manila roads.

The MMDA official made the statement in the virtual media forum "Balitaan sa Tinapayan."

"The MMDA has no authority to direct the barangays to do their own clearing operations as that power rests with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the LGUs," Nebrija said.

Nonetheless, Nebrija said the MMDA has been relentless in clearing roads and sidewalks. Still, he said people must observe discipline to really put communities in order.