Amid reports of encroachment from both private and public entities, the DPWH Northern Samar 2nd District Engineering Office tightens-up its enforcement of the Road-Right-of-Way (RROW) policy along its national roadways.
In compliance to Department Order No. 73 series of 2014 and Revised Philippine Highway Act, Maintenance Section Chief Engineer Francisco Tañala and his Maintenance Point Persons (MPPs) said that they had been sending notices to identified encroachers found to have constructed illegal structures within the RROW of national roads.
These include makeshift stands used to sell all types of farm products, waiting sheds, perimeter fences, electric posts and etcetera.
Engr. Taňala said they explained to owners of these structures about the DPWH ROW policy along national roads and the hazards that may happen to both motorists and encroachers due to these road obstructions.
D.O. No.73 directs all district engineers to issue notices to all persons and entities to make it safe for travelers, motorists and pedestrians. It likewise provides that the Department shall coordinate with local government units (LGUs) to ensure compliance of this policy.
The revised Philippine Highway Act provides that ‘it shall be unlawful for any person to usurp any portion of a right-of-way, to convert any part of any public highway, bridge, wharf or trail to his private use or to obstruct the same in any manner’.
Also the National Building Code of the Philippines cited under Presidential Decree No. 1096 empowered the DPWH to remove or cause the removal of all obstructions and prohibited uses within the road-right-of- way of all national roads.