During the Duterte presidency, then Manila Mayor Isko Moreno drew the accolade of the citizenry for clearing obstructions from the city streets and sidewalks, from illegally built stalls and barangay halls to parked vehicles.
Such was the widespread appreciation from ordinary people that this was adopted as a priority program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). It also encouraged the mayor to run for the presidency, a decision that was later proven to be unwise.
But his advocacy for making the streets safter for motorists as well as pedestrians remains relevant to this day.
In fact, last April 16, 2024, DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin Abalos Jr. issued Memorandum Circular No. 2024-053 on the Nationwide Implementation of the Barangay Road Clearing Operations (BaRCO), Assessment, Validation, and Recognition under the Bagong Pilipinas Program.
The circular draws impetus from Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement early this year that the newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials take the lead in cleaning up all roads, canals, markets, and schools.
The DILG directive leaves to the barangay officials and personnel the responsibility of conducting the BaRCO, with each barangay’s performance to be assessed and validated by the DILG, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), concerned government agencies and municipal governments.
All Punong Barangays are supposed to conduct an inventory of barangay roads and continuously conduct road clearing operations, mobilizing the Sanggunian members, elected SK officials and barangay tanods in all barangay roads, streets and alleys, with the assistance of the municipal LGU, PNP and BFP.
They are likewise expected to report any violation related to road clearing operations outside the coverage or management of the barangay, such as municipal, provincial and national roads, to the proper authorities for their immediate and appropriate action.
Among the road obstructions to be reported include: illegally parked vehicles, e-bike, e-trike; vehicle terminals except in LGU-designated areas; vending sites for any kind of item; house encroachments, protruding gates, conduct of household activities, and tents, except for those temporarily used for funerals and similar activities; store encroachments and indiscriminate signage and advertisement; obstructing barangay outposts, halls, markers and directories; conduct of sports and sports facilities; drying of rice or other crops; construction materials including sand and gravel; debris, waste material and other junked items; and steel plates, makeshift shelters, and barriers that obstruct the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
A deduction of one (1) point will be deducted from the barangay’s BaRCO score for each obstruction found on its roads.
Top BaRCO performing barangays for each city or municipality will be given recognition under the program.
In view of the increasing number of vehicles on the island’s highways and local roads, it is imperative that local chief executives oversee the BarCO implementation and assist barangay officials who are already burdened with other responsibilities.
The mayors’ guidance would be essential if the program is to achieve its primary objective: to make each locality more vibrant and livable.