PALO, Leyte -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region VIII has removed a total of 26,378 obstructions, of which 16,363 as doable and 10,015 as long-term structures and those within the right-of-way (ROW), along national roads in Eastern Visayas.
Since 2016, the office has identified at least 72,916 encroachment along the national roads with 30,999 classified as doable and 41,917 as long-term structures and obstruction.
Listed as road right-of-way obstruction are buildings, houses, shanties, stores, shops, sheds, posts, canopies, billboards, signage, advertisement, including fences, walls, railings, basketball courts, garbage receptacles, plants, and plant boxes. Driveways and ramps occupying or protruding to the sidewalk; humps; construction materials such as gravel, sand, cement, lumber, steel bars, waste materials, among others; and vehicles and equipment that are junked, parked, and occupying or protruding to the sidewalk or shoulder are also considered as encroachment.
Moreover, prohibited activities within the ROW include: repair of vehicles; disposal of household/commercial/industrial wastewater and sewage; raising of animals; washing and drying of clothes, crops, and other similar items; and sports and related activities.
“We are constantly removing all obstructions and illegal structures within the ROW of all national roads in order to ensure public safety. These obstructions in travel ways, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, shoulders, canals, and other portions in our national roads often cause conflict in the implementation of widening projects on national roads,” said DPWH 8 Regional Director Allan S. Borromeo.
The move was in compliance to a Department Order No.73, Series of 2014 directing the strict enforcement of existing orders on the removal of obstructions and prohibiting use within the road-right-of-way on the national highways.
“We are implementing this undertaking as defined in the said DO through tie-ups and in coordination with the LGUs and other offices with police powers to jointly enforce and implement clearing up operations,” he added.
DPWH Regional Office monitors the inventory of obstructions identified by the district offices on sites with encroachment, identified property owners, measured distance, and marked structures that need demolition. Sending notices are concentrated in areas with approved and proposed funding for widening and off-carriageway to make sure that implementation of road widening will be done smoothly.
Removal of obstruction along national highway is pursuant to the provisions of Section 23 of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 17 also known as the Revised Philippine Highway Act and the National Building Code of the Philippines (PD 1096) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. (DPWH-8)
