The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is calling on lawyers to lend their services to the agency in litigating cases filed against erring barangay officials who fail to keep their jurisdiction free of illegally parked vehicles and other road obstructions.
MMDA made the call after intensifying the drive against barangay officials who continue to condone violations of the no-parking and tow-away rules 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 succeed only with the cooperation and support of all stakeholders, including the barangay personnel – they are the people on the ground who have direct supervision over these inner roads,” MMDA Officer-in- Charge Tim Orbos said.
Orbos said the agency’s legal department recently filed administrative cases before the Office of the Ombudsman against at least seven barangay chairmen for failure to keep streets clear that have already been cleared by MMDA personnel of obstructions.
Orbos said that barangay chairmen can also face administrative cases for failure to maintain river ways and esteros in their areas free of garbage.
MMDA has been continuously conducting river and estero cleanups via the Estero Blitz program to help mitigate the effects of 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 designated road easements.
“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.