The City Government in collaboration with the police and the barangays will take the upper hand in the campaign to clear local roads of all obstructions in line with President Duterte’s pronouncement during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22.

Upon instruction of Mayor Beng Climaco, City Administrator Apple Go Tuesday met with representatives from the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO), the barangays and concerned city departments to tackle ways how to effectively implement the campaign.

Go has written ZCPO Director PCol. Joseph Martir seeking the law enforcers’ support to the drive to clear public areas of any and all obstructions. She tasked police station commanders to lead the day-to-day operations in their areas of jurisdiction as well as to come up with a program of action on “measures adopted to prevent and control the proliferation of illegal vendors on sidewalks, private use of public spaces and related regulations to maintain peace and order in the city”.

Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año has issued a memorandum circular for local chief executives to clear public roads.

The circular was an offshoot of the President’s directive during his SONA at the House of Representatives where he tasked Año to penalize local government units that fail to meet the terms.

Mayor Climaco said the City Government is fully supportive of the plans and programs of President Duterte and will do its level best to comply as well as complement national policies and programs. (Sheila Covarrubias)