ROAD CLEARING OPERATION. Public Order and Safety Office chief Robert Christopher Erfe-Mejia led the road-clearing operations in the city, as he personally removed the obstructions on Thursday (August 1, 2019). The city government of Dagupan, through its POSO, complies with President Rodrigo Duterte's directive to remove all obstructions in the roads. (Photo courtesy of Robert Erfe-Mejia's Facebook account)
DAGUPAN CITY -- The Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) here has cleared around 40 percent of sidewalks and roads in the city since President Rodrigo Duterte gave the directive to local government units to clear the streets and roads of obstructions during his State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA).
POSO chief Robert Christopher Erfe-Mejia said the Central Business District has initially been the focus of their clearing operations but he vowed to move further away into the barangays.
“As of now, we will focus on cleaning our downtown area but we will soon clear inner roads and barangay roads,” he said in an interview Wednesday.
Mejia also urged establishment owners to conduct their own “self-clearing” of sidewalks.
“Businesses also have a responsibility in keeping our sidewalks clean. It is everyone’s obligation to comply in their own way,” he added.
The POSO official vowed to continue their campaign until all Dagupan streets are completely rid of obstruction.
Meanwhile, around 200 riders whose motorcycles have modified mufflers have been apprehended.
Erfe-Mejia said noisy exhaust pipes are not allowed in the city in accordance with the city ordinance 2122-2018 prohibiting the use and/or modification of mufflers of motorcycles.
“Aside from 200 violators, there are also a number of violators of multiple traffic rules and ordinances,” he added.
Currently, there are over 50 motorcycles impounded in the POSO office due to their relentless campaign against unruly motorcycle riders with various offenses.
Among these violations are not wearing of helmet, expired licenses, and even driving without license.
Erfe-Mejia also assured that violators will be able to retrieve their confiscated vehicles provided they pay the corresponding fines. (PNA)
