Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan speaks in a press conference on Wednesday, August 21 at the Marina Seaview Restaurant in Barangay Pusok. He says those who practice structural encroachment will have to clear the area two days after they receive the notices of violation. CDND PHOTO / Rosalie Abatayo
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines—Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan has a message to the owners of structures and houses which encroach the city’s roads: “You have two days to voluntarily clear them out.”
In a press conference held on Wednesday, August 21, Chan said two teams from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and the City Traffic Management System (CTMS) will be going around the city to issue notices of violation to owners of structures which encroach sidewalks and public roads.
Chan said the city government will start the issuance of the notices on Friday, August 23.
Once the notices are issued and received by the owners, Chan said they will have two days to voluntarily clear the roads.
Chan said the clearing of the sidewalks and roads will also not exempt even the outposts of barangay tanod (village watchmen).
Two trucks will be utilized by the city to tow away illegally-parked vehicles.
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The custom practice of holding wakes which extend to the public road 24 hours a day will be prohibited.
This means that wakes that will extend on public roads will only be allowed at night time.
“Wakes in the streets will no longer be allowed during the daytime, [they will be only be allowed] at night. They will also have to put a warning sign ahead of the wake to warn drivers,” Chan said.
Chan’s order to clear sidewalks of structural encroachment came after the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a memorandum circular on July 29 giving a 60-day ultimatum for local chief executives to reclaim public roads, alleys and other thoroughfares.
This was DILG’s response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders which called on local chief executives to reclaim public roads that are being used by private individuals.
The cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Talisay have taken steps to clear their sidewalks of obstructions. / celr