Make DILG city, town directors accountable

SINCE the first deadline for the clearing of road obstructions passed, it seems most mayors and barangay officials are already on a “relaxed and tolerant“ mood again. Many of the road obstructions that were cleared in many towns and cities in the province initially for the DILG ratings are back on the roads. (Only Manila Mayor Isko appears to be the only mayor who’s taking the DILG order seriously).

This leads us to ask: What are the city and town directors of DILG doing? Why are they not reporting the cessation of road clearing operations to their DILG bosses after the September deadline? Or was DILG Sec. Eduardo Año’s order actually a one-shot deal?

In fact, a Dagupan resident, Lion. T. Blaker, furnished The PUNCH a copy of his letter to DILG City Director Marlyn Laguipo, calling her attention to continued uncleared road obstructions in the city.  It is an indication that the citizenry has since become more aware of the national government’s directives and are conscious of non-performance of public officials in their communities. The resident is wondering why she is tolerating the non-compliance with no accountabilities or consequences.

It’s time non-performing DILG city and municipal directors themselves should be called out and be made accountable instead of simply looking at mayors and barangay chairpersons as accountable officials. 

Oplan Tokhang should stay

THE suggestion of Vice President Leni Robredo to stop or rename Oplan Tokhang is clearly unstudied and a continuation of the efforts of the political opposition to discredit the war on drugs launched by President Duterte.

Oplan Tokhang as pointed out from the very beginning has meritorious benefits to both the community and residents who are addicted to drugs and or peddle drugs. The objective is to stop if not minimize incidents of drug personalities from having a run-in with law enforcers in the streets that would lead to their arrests and detention. Tokhang, a Visayan word for ‘visit’, is precisely a visit to a known drug personality by a group composed of a barangay official, representatives from religious and social sectors and the police, to encourage drug users and pushers to surrender and opt for rehab.

The PNP leadership is right in rejecting the suggestion of VP Robredo because it was politically motivated, validating merely the erroneous propaganda of the political opposition, demonizing the drug war labeled as Oplan Tokhang. 

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments