MMDA to iron out kinks with DPWH, contractors on road reblocking

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino is set to meet Friday with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), water concessionaires and contractors to discuss the  unfinished road reblocking and repairs that have been obstructing traffic along major thoroughfares in the metropolis.

“We will seek a clarification on issues so we know how to manage the traffic implications,” said Tina Velasco, MMDA spokesperson and assistant general manager for planning.

The DPWH was originally scheduled to conduct concrete reblocking in several areas in Quezon City and the cities of Makati and Manila during the long holiday break from Aug. 27 to 30 to minimize the  inconvenience it would bring  to motorists and commuters.

But according to Velasco, the DPWH only finished five out of the 14 targeted areas, thereby causing traffic jams when work and classes resumed Wednesday.

Velasco said work on  two road reblocking projects  on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, were  extended until Thursday.

“But work on the rest of the nine out of the 14 projects of the DPWH  will resume every weekend, from Friday to Sunday,” she said.

The MMDA added that the delay in the completion of water utility firms’ projects, like pipe-laying  in the  Edsa-Guadalupe area of  Makati, contributed to the traffic buildup.

“We will meet with representatives of water utility companies to know when they are going to be able to complete their projects. We will also ask the contractors to explain why they were not able to complete the project based on their schedule,” Tolentino said.

The MMDA earlier said that concrete reblocking, particularly along Edsa, should only be carried out during weekends so as not to slow down traffic.

Tolentino said the delayed projects are a sign that the agency needs to review its policies.

“If there are private contractors, it would be better for them to post a bond which they should forfeit if they are not able to fulfill their commitment to finish the project,” he said.

He also said that private contractors who fail to clear their debris or any implements they used for the reblocking will risk having their construction equipment towed by the MMDA to ensure that the affected roadway will remain passable to traffic.

Tolentino said they are also considering the idea of obliging contractors of projects along main roads to put their company’s name and contact numbers so the public know where to address their complaints, if any.