By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Department of the Interior and Local Government-Region VI (DILG-6) director Ariel Iglesia said road-clearing operations will continue beyond the initial deadline. In a radio interview over the weekend, Iglesia said road-clearing is a constant responsibility for all local officials, including those on the town, city, and barangay levels.
However, after the deadline, the DILG-6 official said reports submitted by local governments will be validated by a team composed of representatives of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, civil society organization, and DILG personnel.
“We formed a team purposely for validating the reports,” he said.
As of Friday, Iglesia declined to provide figures because all localities had not yet submitted reports.
“Some claim they are 80 percent accomplished, some 90 percent accomplished,” he said. “That’s the thing we are going to validate.”
He added, accomplishments should be “substantial.”
“Per the announcement of the [DILG Secretary Eduardo Año], we can say that compliance is substantial if they have accomplished at least 70 percent,” Ingelsia explained. “That is the passing rate set by the department.”
Any accomplishment lower than 70 percent could be basis for the issuance of a show-cause order, which will require city or town officials to testify before the court, he added./DGB, WDJ