THERE will be no street diggings and other road repairs for two months starting November to ease traffic in the metropolis during the holiday season.
Last Tuesday, Metro Manila Development Authority officer-in-charge Thomas Orbos met with representatives of utility companies and discussed about the government’s traffic plan during the “ber month” period until early January next year.
MMDA and the Department of Transportation officials are expecting an influx of consumers in malls, restaurants and entertainment venues will crowd the roads during the holiday season.
Orbos said road diggings must be temporarily stopped because they tend to cause traffic snarls on major and secondary roads especially with the expected increase in the volume of vehicles and pedestrians during Christmas rush.
Violators will be fined and penalized heavily under Section 3 of the MMDA Amended Regulation No. 11- 002 series of 2011.
Under MMDA amended regulation, the agency imposes fines of at least P1,250 and not more than P25,000 or imprisonment of not less than 30 days but not more than six months of jail term or both for violators.
To make traffic flow more manageable, the MMDA has coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the other concerned groups to ensure that the roadways are free from obstructions and serviceable to vehicles and pedestrians during the holiday break.
The agency clarified that not all government infrastructure projects are covered by the order as some that are classified as urgent in nature were granted exemptions under MMDA Ordinance No. 2, Series of 1991.
The MMDA reiterated its call that no government agency can legally conduct road diggings without securing the necessary permits from the MMDA and local government units where the project is being constructed.
Orbos earlier urged Metro Manila mayors to consider putting up night markets in their respective areas to help sidewalk vendors do their business during the holiday season.
He came up with the idea as the agency resumed its campaign clearing sidewalk and major roads of illegal vendors and other obstruction which contribute to the worsening traffic condition in Metro Manila, especially with the onset of the pick buying months.
Orbos said the MMDA is willing to assist the LGUs in setting up night markets and provide proper places for merchants to keep them off the sidewalks.
The MMDA is also supporting the proposal of Senator Grace Poe to have an early Christmas break for students to ease traffic in the metropolis.