Several local government agencies in the city conducted a joint road clearing operation in Barangay 31-D, where several stalls, potted plants, parked tricycles, trisikad units, and other objects obstructing the streets were confiscated or impounded.
The clearing operation was conducted to remove objects blocking the streets and causing traffic, accidents, and delays in disaster response.
Paul Bermejo, Head of the Ancillary Services Unit (ASU), said in an interview with the City Information Office (CIO) that before the clearing operation, the streets in Barangay 31-D were barely passable as there were a lot of objects occupying large portions of the street.
Bermejo also said that aside from the regular road clearing operations that they are conducting, they also have a scheduled joint clearing operation, wherein several local government agencies including the Barangay and Cultural Affairs Division (BCCAD), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO), ASU, City Engineer’s Office (CEO), City Economic Enterprise (CEE), and other concerned agencies, are involved.
He said that joint road clearing operations will be a regular activity of the different agencies that will then be turned over to the barangay.
“Himuon na namo ni nga regular operations kini pud tungod na siya sa series of calamities and disasters nga nahitabo sa atoa diri sa Davao City nga kung diin pagresponde sa fire truck, makaligis na sila’g tao ug mga trisikad ug mga tricycle ug uban pa [These joint operations will be a regular activity of the agencies following the series of calamities and disasters that the city experienced when road accidents involving our disaster response teams might take place due to road obstructions],” Bermejo explained.
He also added that although the barangays are responsible for maintaining the streets and ensuring that these are free
from obstructions, ASU will still visit the areas for further operations.
Barangay 31-D is the third barangay that has been cleared. ASU already conducted road clearing operations in Dumalag, Matina Aplaya on February 16; and in San Pedro St. to the Seawall in Bucana.
Meanwhile, residents in the area have expressed gratitude to the agencies involved in the clearing operation.
Bermejo urged Dabawenyos to avoid turning the streets and sidewalks into parking lots or extensions of their houses. The public is also urged to follow the one-third-two-third policy and to cooperate with the local government and their barangays. CIO
