Capitol has no clear action plan on roads

By SHIELA MAE BUTLIG with LITO RULONA
Correspondents

TO clean, or not to clean, that is the question.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vicente Emano yesterday kept mum about what he plans to do with the structures encroaching on sidewalks and roads around the capitol vis-à-vis the Duterte administration’s nationwide campaign to “reclaim” all public roads.

Emano’s subordinates in the capitol have taken a position of ambivalence.

Capitol spokesman Florito “Carlo” Dugaduga said capitol officials have yet to hear about Emano’s plan about the capitol compound’s roads and sidewalks. Neither is there an order from the governor pertaining to the capitol roads and sidewalks, he said.

Asked about what the capitol intends to do with the road obstructions, Dugaduga said, “Wala ko’y ikatubag kay status quo pa man. Wala pay kamadoan. Wala’y direktiba ang office ni Gov (Emano) regarding ana.”

Assistant provincial administrator Carol Lim-Caidic declined to say anything, saying she was bound to follow a communications protocol that prevents capitol executive department officials from answering questions from reporters, except for the governor and Dugaduga.

“Para mausa ra among tubag,” Caidic explained.

The Gold Star Daily asked Emano about his plan but he has yet to respond at presstime.

One of Emano’s closest allies in the provincial board, Gerardo Sabal III, said he would abide by whatever the decision Emano’s makes.

Sabal said the capitol has hired “job order” workers to ensure the smooth flow  of vehicular traffic in the capitol compound. He did not say what he and other officials planned to do with the road and sidewalk obstructions.

Meanwhile, Sabal said he was one with Emano in protecting properties within the capitol compound from city hall even as he warned against what he described as a overlapping of functions.

Sabal said President Duterte’s order to reclaim public roads can only be executed in the capitol compound by Gov. Emano.