DPWH Catanduanes District Engineering Office (DEO) OIC-District Engineer Denis Cagomoc could land in hot water after he approved the closure of part of the national highway in San Andres town for three (3) days last week despite the lack of an executive order issued by the mayor.
According to a Tribune source, Cagomoc sent a letter dated May 8, 2024 to a certain Sandro Santelices of barangay Salvacion regarding the latter’s request to utilize a portion of the national road along the barangay for the annual celebration of “Pasakat sa Langit” on May 10, 2024.
“(Y)our request is granted provided that you install visible warning signs on the premises to ensure smooth flow of traffic and safety of the traveling public,” the OIC-DE stated, adding that Santelices should coordinate with the barangay chairman to facilitate proper traffic control.
The request was made a month earlier on April 8 when Santelices informed Cagomoc that the Parish of St. Andres the Apostle would celebrate the annual rite on May 12, 2024, a Sunday.
On behalf of the sponsoring family of the late Felicitas Gianan, he sought permission from the DPWH district office to use a part of the national road from 1 PM of May 10 to 4 PM of May 12, to serve as venue for the reception of said event.
The letter was noted by the barangay captain, Rogelio Surban, and stamped “Approved” as well as signed by Mayor Atty. Leo Z. Mendoza.
Also attached was a sketch of the proposed rerouting plan, with vehicles going to the port or to the northern towns of Caramoran and Pandan turning right on the road to Sapang Palay.
An official of the DPWH Catanduanes DEO, however, pointed out that Section 21 (c) of the Local Government Code of 1991 on the closure and opening of roads state that “any national or local road, alley, park, or square may be temporarily closed during an actual emergency, or fiesta celebrations, public rallies, agricultural or industrial fairs, or an undertaking of public works and highways, telecommunications, and waterworks projects, the duration of which shall be specified by the local chief executive concerned in a written order.”
Said provision clarifies that “no national or local road, alley, park, or square shall be temporarily closed for athletic, cultural, or civic activities not officially sponsored, recognized, or approved by the local government unit concerned.”