The Metro Manila Development Authority is calling on lawyers to lend their services to the agency for the handling of cases filed against erring village officials who fail to keep their jurisdiction free of illegally-parked vehicles and other road obstructions.
The agency made the call on Friday after it intensifies its drive against barangay officials who continue to violate the no-parking rule and tow-away zones in their respective localities.
“We have stepped up our anti-illegal parking and sidewalk clearing operations all over Metro Manila to ultimately improve the traffic situation. We would only attain this with the cooperation and support of all the stakeholders, including the barangay personnel—the people on the ground who have direct supervision over these inner roads,” said MMDA general manager and acting chairman Thomas Orbos.
Orbos said the agency’s legal department recently filed administrative cases before the Office of the Ombudsman against seven barangay officials for their failure to clear the streets that were already cleared and cleaned by MMDA personnel of obstructions.
He said the community leaders could also face administrative cases for their failure to maintain the river ways and esteros in their areas garbage-free.
The MMDA has been continuously conducting river and estero cleanups in various waterways in Metro Manila via the Estero Blitz program to mitigate massive flooding during the rainy season.
Aside from barangay personnel, Orbos said the agency will need the services of volunteer-lawyers to file cases against business establishments that continue to allow vehicles of their clients to park beyond the road easement.
“We encourage all lawyers to help us in our fight against negligent barangay officials. We cannot do it alone as we lack manpower and resources,” he said.
Three barangay officials in Quezon City were the latest subjects of administrative complaints in connection with the government's campaign against illegally-parked vehicles and other road obstructions.
Charged with neglect of duties before the Office of Ombudsman were Jesus N. Lipnica Jr., chairman of Barangay Piñahan; Teodoro P. Calaunan Sr., of West Crame, and Telesforo Mortega, of San Roque District III.
Lawyer Victor Nunez, MMDA legal counsel and head of the agency's Towing Operations Unit, said before they filed the case, MMDA personnel conducted surveillance operations in the subject areas and they were surprised to find out that the obstructions are still there.