By Jesse Maguiya-Tabuk City-PIO
Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Demolition Task Force of Tabuk City Local Government convened in a meeting to re-organize and prepare for their upcoming road right-of-way clearing operation scheduled for February. The operation is set to take place from February 24-26, 2025, in Barangay Agbannawag.
The task force, a comprehensive team composed of various government agencies, includes representatives from the City Legal Office, the Tabuk City DILG Field Office, the DPWH Kalinga Engineering District, the City Building and Architectural Office (CBAO), the City Engineering Office, the City Motor and Equipment Pool Office, the Public Order and Safety Office, the City Assessors Office, the City Public Information Office, the the Tabuk City Police Office, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Matagoan Bodong Consultative Council, the Kalinga Electric Cooperative (KAELCO), and the Association of Barangay Councils.
One of the critical points discussed during the meeting was the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2024-053, which details the nationwide implementation of the Barangay Road Clearing Operations, Assessment, Validation, and Recognition under the Bagong Pilipinas Program. The memorandum emphasizes the importance of clearing road obstructions, particularly in barangay areas, to ensure safer and more efficient infrastructure development.
Attorney Arthur Kub-ao, Chairman of the Demolition Task Force, explained that the demolition operation, initially planned for December 2024, was delayed due to various factors. However, the rescheduled operation will now proceed in February 2025.
According to Kub-ao, affected residents have already been notified through notices and general assemblies, leaving no further reasons for postponing the operation.
One of the key reasons for the demolition is the construction of the new Agbannawag Police Station, along with the ongoing road widening project along the national highway in the area. These infrastructure improvements necessitate the removal of illegal structures that have encroached upon the road right-of-way.
During the meeting, assessments were presented, showing that several structures along the national highway in Barangay Agbannawag have been occupying or encroaching on public road spaces. This has hindered both the development of the area and the smooth flow of traffic, making the road clearing operation essential for the area’s growth and safety.
The demolition task force is committed to ensuring the timely execution of the operation, with full coordination between all involved agencies and the affected local communities. The operation is part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance infrastructure and improve public safety across the region. Photos: Ralph Banna
