By CESAR JOLITO III

A total of 30 illegal structures along major roads in Bacolod City’s Barangays 1 and 2 were demolished by the Bacolod City Legal Office (CLO) as part of the city government’s continuing campaign to clear public roads and sidewalks of obstructions.

CLO enforcement team head, retired Police Colonel Levy Pangue said the owners of the affected houses and small businesses were earlier issued a two-week notice, giving them time to voluntarily remove portions of their structures that encroached on the road.

Of the 30 notified, 15 complied and dismantled their structures on their own, while the remaining 15 were demolished by the CLO.

Pangue reported that around 90 percent of the affected area has already been cleared.

He added that two remaining stalls requested time to fix their structures themselves, which the CLO granted.

The enforcement team is set to return to the area the following day to ensure that the road is completely cleared.

The clearing operation was carried out in preparation for an upcoming drainage project of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the area, which requires the removal of all obstructions.

Sanctions

Meanwhile, Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya reiterated that barangay captains may face administrative sanctions if they allow the reconstruction of demolished obstructions.

Gasataya stressed that it is the responsibility of barangay officials to maintain clear and passable sidewalks and roadways to prevent traffic congestion and accidents.

Following the demolition, the CLO is preparing a post-demolition report to be submitted to the barangays concerned.

Barangay tanods and personnel from the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department will also be deployed to monitor the cleared areas and ensure that no new illegal structures are built./CJ, WDJ