LAOAG CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Ilocos Norte’s Second Engineering District is up for another round of road sweep under its “Operation Baklas” program to clear the national highway’s right of way.
Personnel of the DPWH along with those from the Philippine National Police, had earlier started to remove road obstructions to ensure smooth flow of traffic and prevent road accidents and will begin operations again next week.
Under Department Order No. 73 series of 2014, Engr. Mathias Malenab, Officer-In-Charge, Office of the District Engineer, cited some prohibitions along roads and highways. These include all kinds of temporary and permanent structures such as buildings, houses, shanties, stores, shops, stalls, sheds, canopies, billboards, signages, advertisements, fences, walls, railings, basketball courts, barangay halls, and garbage receptacles.
According to Malenab, a total of 293 obstructions were removed during the completed road clearing operations from February 21 to March 3. The areas covered were Batac City and the towns of Paoay, San Nicolas, Currimao and Badoc.
Malenab said they would resume the operations next week.
Meanwhile, Engr. Nestor Pasion reported Wednesday that the DPWH First Engineering District was able to demolish and removed 3,019 obstructions from Laoag City all the way to Pagudpud.
The DPWH appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate and abide by the revised Philippine highway Act and the National Building Code. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
