INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Saturday said that portions of major roads closed for repairs since Thursday were expected to be open to the public by noon on Sunday, as thousands of motorists from various provinces begin to troop back to the metro.
In his inspection of a road section of Edsa Guadalupe near the agency’s headquarters in Makati City, MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said that the public could expect that the closed portions of Edsa, Mindanao Avenue, E. Rodriguez Avenue and C-5 Road would be fully operational by noon.
Sections of Edsa that were closed and underwent roadworks were: (Northbound) the fourth and fifth lanes from Buendia to Escuela Street and Guadalupe Bridge to Temple Drive; (southbound) Connecticut to Guadalupe Bridge, and Guadalupe Station to Estrella Street.
On the northbound lane of C-5 Road, the second outermost lane from Valle Verde/Resins Inc. to SM Warehouse underwent repairs. Also closed to traffic were the (southbound) first lane along Mindanao Avenue from Road 8 to North Avenue, the second lane from the sidewalk along E. Rodriguez Avenue/C-5 between Poseidon Street and Green Meadows Avenue, and C-5 Road Pasig Boulevard to Bagong-Ilog Service Road.
The repairs on portions of Edsa caused heavy traffic during the Lenten break, but Tolentino said that the agency did not fall short of reminding the public of the road reblocking.
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“The reblocking was well-announced for the last 45 days so there are no surprises. It’s not unusual (traffic),” he said.
He added that the roadworks of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been deferred in the last six months, and that the MMDA gave the agency the go ahead to conduct the roadworks during the Holy Week break.
MMDA traffic engineering center chief, Emilio Llavor, said that the repairs are “on time” and that the concrete used was on its curing stage.
In his inspection, Tolentino took notice that some portions of the repaired road had bumps on it. He, however, declined to comment on its roadworthiness.
Llavor later told reporters that they were “okay” with the “final” work done on the road sections, and that they would “talk with the DPWH and remind them” on the repairs they have made, especially on Edsa.
Meanwhile, Tolentino appealed to those going back to the metro to “travel early, especially those who would be coming from areas which Typhoon ‘Chedeng’ is expected to hit, so that they would be out of harm’s way, and wouldn’t be affected by possible landslides and slippery roads.”
Tolentino said that since Metro Manila is not on the direct path of the typhoon, based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s forecast, the agency and at least four local government units sent at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday personnel to Aurora and Isabela, areas which would be directly affected by the typhoon.
By sending two personnel from Marikina, Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Pasay’s disaster response teams and 50 individuals from the MMDA’s rescue battalion and public safety units, Tolentino said that they would be able to upgrade their capabilities, as well as help the locality, in an actual typhoon experience.
Tolentino said that under a Metro Manila Council resolution, they are authorized “to utilize Metro Manila forces beyond the territorial jurisdiction of Metro Manila.” The resolution was signed by all Manila mayors. RC