DILG-NCR and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) signed into a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to intensify clearing of roads and waterways.

The MoA is in line with the instruction of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to clear all roads of obstruction to ease traffic in Metro Manila. Prior to the MoA, DILG-NCR has issued a regional memorandum to remind NCR Punong Barangays to fulfill their duty in keeping streets of Metro Manila free from obstruction.

Apart from clearing of roads, MMDA and DILG will also work on rehabilitating Manila Bay with the cleanup of waterways. Following the Supreme Court continuing mandamus for the cleanup and rehabilitation of Manila Bay, both agencies were directed to lead efforts in improving the status of the bay.

Under the agreement, the two agencies will be in close coordination for clearing operations in roads and waterways in barangays. MMDA shall be in charge of the cleaning operations; cleared areas will be turned over to Punong Barangays through the issuance of a Certificate of Acceptance. Follow-up inspections shall also be made, to ensure that barangays have fulfilled their duty in maintaining clean roads and waterways.

DILG-NCR, on the other hand, will be in charge of informing barangays of the undertaking, and notifying barangays of upcoming clearing operations in their areas of responsibility to ensure smooth conduct of clearing operations and provision of necessary support. DILG-NCR shall also be requiring barangays to report clearing operations conducted.

For barangays that failed to maintain their areas clear from road and waterway obstructions, MMDA will issue a warning on the first offense. A second inspection will be conducted, and for repeat offenders, MMDA will initiate the filing of administrative case to the Sanggunian concerned. On the other hand, DILG-NCR will inform local chief executives of the result of the inspections, and if administrative cases has been filed againt barangay officials to the Sanggunian.