ZAMBOANGA CITY, 10 Jan. (PIA) - - The
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to demolish obstructions and structures illegally
constructed in the city’s highways and roads right of way.
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| Mayor Celso Lobregat recently met with barangay officials, policemen and representatives from the DPWH to discuss about it's circular directing the immediate demolition of all illegal structures along highways and roads right of way. (JOEY BAUTISTA) |
In consonance with the demolition, DPWH has
been coordinating with the city government for its implementation.
“The DPWH thru a circular has sought the
city government’s assistance pertaining to the immediate clearing of highways
and roads right of way of all illegal structures,” revealed City Information
Officer (IO) Sheila Covarrubias.
Covarrubias informed, “Lobregat has had
series of meetings with barangay chairmen with representatives from the DPWH,
City Engineer’s Office, City Police Office and other concerned agencies to
discus about the impending demolition.”
To oversee the enforcement of the DPWH
circular, a task group was created for the purpose.
“The task group is composed of the District
Engineer as the head and personnel from the CEO, City Administrator’s Office,
City Mayor’s Office specifically City Licensing Division and the Zamboanga City
Police Office,” this according to Covarrubias.
Covarrubias said the task group has started
Monday its rounds on the various barangays to check on all illegal structures
constructed along highways.
“The task group has started Monday its
rounds of the different barangays starting from Tetuan to Licomo in the east
coast and from Baliwasan to Labuan in the west coast,” the lady IO said.
Covarrubias clarified, “owners of said
structures will be properly notified thru notices to voluntarily clear the
highway within one week to ten days after which the task group will be back to
undertake the demolition.”
“The City Legal office has opined that such
illegal structures are per se considered nuisance and that no Court or legal
procedure is necessary to enable the task group to conduct the demolition,”
Covarrubias stressed. (JPA/PIA9)