MMDA: Rains ahead, roadworks can wait

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Citing weather forecasts, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Francis Tolentino on Saturday ordered the suspension of the reblocking and other repair works of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on two major thoroughfares.

The MMDA chief, whose permission is needed by the DPWH for such projects, halted roadworks scheduled over the weekend and up to early Monday on parts of C-5 Road and Edsa in view of the heavy rains expected in the next few days.

“(The rains) will just wash away the cement mixture and waste resources,” he said, noting that the forecasts had been proving accurate. “They cannot pour concrete when there’s a thunderstorm, more so during flashfloods.”

Last month, Tolentino sued a DPWH official for proceeding with a reblocking project in Pasig City using an expired permit from the MMDA. Kristine Felisse Mangunay