Don't Play in the Road

This story is incredible. Just read it.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/11/07/dont-dry-palay-on-national-roads-dpwh-reminds-farmers/

“Drying of palay and other farm produce along national highways is totally banned in order to safeguard the motorists from any untoward incident,” the agency said. 

The directive, according to the DPWH, is pursuant to DPWH Department Order No.41, series of 2013 and DPWH Department Order No. 52, series of 2003, and pursuant to provisions of Section 23 of Presidential Decree No. 17, stating that “It shall be unlawful for any person to usurp any portion of a right-of-way, to convert any part of any public highways, bridge, wharf or trail to his own private use or to obstruct in the same in any manner.” 

Violation of the law is punishable by a fine of not more than P1,000 or by imprisonment not exceeding to six months. 

Based on the department order issued in February 2003, the private use of even the sidewalk, gutter and curb, or any other portions of the road covered by the right-of-way is prohibited. 

Private-owned structures installed on the road right-of-way are also banned. This is usually the case on the national roads in the metropolis. 

According to the same department order, all kinds of private temporary and permanent structures such as buildings, houses, shanties, stores, shops, stalls, posts, canopies, billboards, signages, advertisements, fences, walls, railings, basketball courts, and garbage receptacles. 

Plants and plant boxes are also prohibited along the national roads. It is also not allowed to use any part of the national road as a storage area for construction materials. Using it as a parking lot and for repair shops are banned.

I don't live near any national highways. Just normal roads which are always busy and are always cluttered.

Cluttered with electrical poles and parked cars and food stalls and grills and repair shops and restaurants and basketball courts. Cluttered so much that traffic gets stuck and slowed down. Even houses and shanties are right on the edge of the road. There is literally no space between the road and many shanties.  It is surprising that people don't regularly get mowed down or their shanties plowed into.

What little sidewalk there is is often cluttered as well with stalls and restaurants and repair shops and all kinds of junk that should not be there. 

But no one gets fined. Some of the restaurants I see have been there for years and no one gives a hoot.

Just imagine having to warn the people and make a national law to not obstruct sidewalks or play in the road! Does that sound like a law for adults or for children?