MMDA lifts moratorium on road re-blocking jobs

MANILA, Philippines–Motorists will have to brave heavier traffic along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila starting Friday.

Reason: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has ordered the lifting of the moratorium on all road re-blocking activities in the metropolis.

Effective at 10 p.m. Friday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), utility firms and their contractors may resume their road re-blocking activities, including road repairs and diggings along Edsa.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the lifting of the moratorium on road repairs and construction will enable the DPWH and its contractors to resume their re-blocking works in sites which were temporarily halted following the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 16, Series of 2011 by the MMDA last Sept. 16, suspending public works due to the typhoons forecast to hit the country this month.

The MMDA Traffic Engineering Center identified five unfinished road re-blocking sites as along Edsa near Trinoma south bound, Congressional Road near Cherry Foodarama, Edsa near Ayala Ave. southbound, Osmeña Highway between Magallanes to Zobel St. northbound and along North Ave. (Edsa to Elliptical Road).

Tolentino reminded contractors to abide by MMDA’s conditions to prevent road works from impeding the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

These include the requirement that work shall start at 10 p.m. Friday and end early enough to render the work area passable to vehicles by 4 a.m. Monday, and that signages bearing the name and contact numbers of the contractor be posted at the work site.

He added that the contractors should also take appropriate measures to ensure that the affected roadways remain passable, clear and serviceable to all vehicles and pedestrians during the road construction period.