Complaints prompt MMDA to shed light on Edsa’s dark spots

How many government agencies does it take to change the light bulbs on Edsa? The answer: Quite a few, apart from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

After being besieged by complaints about the lack of lights on some portions of the 23-kilometer-long thoroughfare, the MMDA has taken to its Facebook account to explain that the lampposts on Edsa which cuts across six cities is the responsibility of “several entities.”

The complaints were triggered by an online post in 2011 which went viral and continued to draw comments. After Facebook user Ronnel Cuison called the attention of the MMDA to the lack of street lights on Edsa, he was informed by the agency that it would forward his grievance to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

However, when Cuison posted his complaint on the DPWH’s Facebook account, he was told that keeping Edsa lighted was the duty of the MMDA.

On Wednesday, the MMDA posted the following comment on its Facebook account:

“Edsa streetlights are managed by several entities. Streetlights on Edsa Buendia-Ayala [are] under the responsibility of DPWH; Edsa Taft-Roxas, MMDA; Edsa Shaw, Mandaluyong [City government]; and Edsa Buendia flyover, Makati [City government].”

The MMDA explained that Cuison was referring to the Edsa Buendia-Ayala stretch which was why it referred him to the DPWH.

“After that, we also told him that MMDA is not the only one managing and maintaining streetlights [on] Edsa. There are also [local government units] and other concerned agencies,” it said.

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