By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

With Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia giving the owners of illegal structures 10 days to clear illegal structures blocking city streets, city administrator, Atty. John Orola, said he hopes local residents voluntarily remove their illegal structures before formal clearing operations commence.
He believes it would be better if residents are the ones to conduct the clearing as it will allow them to save materials in order to reconstruct their homes elsewhere.
The city official added, its is not only the mayor to be held liable should the clearing fail as local barangay officials will also be included.
During his discussion with Bacolod City barangay captains and other officials last week at the Bacolod City Government Center, Leonardia directed those gathered to issue notices to owners of certain illegal structures to inform them that they will be given a 10-day grace period before demolition and clearing operations commence.
The meeting came after President Rodrigo Duterte, in his recent State of the Nation Address, called on “all concerned local officials” to “undertake immediate action to ensure the speedy and smooth flow of vehicular traffic.”/DGB, WDJ