MMDA suspends road reblocking, pipe-laying activities in Metro

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday declared a moratorium on all road reblocking and pipe-laying activities of water concessionaires along major thoroughfares this month.

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino issued the order as he cited the effects it would have on road traffic and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (Pagasa) forecast that at least four typhoons could hit the country in September.

The Alay Lakad Para sa Kabataan, a walkathon to be held on Sunday, is also expected to add to the heavy traffic, prompting the MMDA to advise motorists to take alternate routes because some roads will be closed.

Tolentino also met 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 on major thoroughfares in the metropolis.

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 the MMDA, the DPWH only finished five out of the 14 targeted areas, causing traffic jams when work and classes resumed on Wednesday.

The moratorium, the MMDA said, will take effect after this weekend after it allowed the DPWH to work on unfinished road reblocking activities nearing completion on Edsa-Ayala southbound, Edsa Trinoma southbound, Edsa-Pasay Road, Commonwealth Avenue, Edsa Corinthian service road northbound, C3, Edsa Monumento and 10th Avenue in Caloocan City.

Work on the other portions may resume in October, said Tina Velasco, MMDA spokesperson and assistant general manager for planning.