TACLOBAN CITY, the regional center of the Eastern Visayas Region, started clearing sidewalks and streets from obstructions last week, ahead of the President’s order to local government officials, also made last week, to strictly implement the country’s road laws. A statement from the City Information Office said the clearing operations was initiated in line with the local government’s earlier announcement that starting Aug. 1, there will be a crackdown on sidewalk and ambulant vendors without business permits. Members of the Traffic Operation Management Enforcement and Control Office (TOMECO) and the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) have been going around the city to inspect structures. They have also been ordering owners to remove obstructions on public spaces, including canopies and illegal fences. Among the areas covered starting last July 22 were Barangay 36 Sabang and 37 Sea wall Reclamation Area, Salazar and Sta. Cruz Streets, and Sagkahan District. The Business Permits and Licenses Division, meanwhile, held a meeting last Friday with ambulant vendors. The TOMECO and CEO teams have also been issuing citation tickets to illegally-parked vehicles. Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, in a statement on his Facebook page, appealed to the public to cooperate with the clearing operations “for the continued improvement and development of Tacloban.” He said in Filipino, “Let us help each other, let us follow the laws.”

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR