The Metro Manila Development Authority on Monday began clearing operations on the four major roads in the Cubao district, which was identified by the agency as one of the most congested areas in Quezon City.
The agency earlier declared the areas of Main Avenue, South Road, 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue in Barangay Bagong Lipunan in Quezon City as “tow away zones,” and planned to open a bypass connecting Mariposa Street to 3rd Avenue going towards Camp Crame.
MMDA general manager and acting chairman Thomas Orbos said motorists going to and from Quezon City can go straight to Epifanio de los Santos Avenue if Camp Crame, the Philippine National Police headquarters, would agree to open its gates to the public.
Motorists coming from Makati City can exit Edsa instead of Santolan and those coming from Quezon City can exit South Road instead of P. Tuazon Street, he said.
Orbos said that MMDA personnel have already conducted series of dialogues with barangay officials with regards to the clearing operations of the roads in the area.
“We have already talked with barangay officials, headed by Barangay Chairman Tony Tamalayan, about this bypass which entails clearing of road obstructions. So far they have been supportive of the plan,” he said.
MMDA personnel will put up necessary road markings such as pedestrian crossing and yellow box and directional signages to guide motorists who will be using the bypass road.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government-National Capital Region recently issued a memorandum enjoining all barangay chairmen “to ensure that all roads within their area of jurisdiction are free from all kinds of obstructions.”
In a memorandum dated April 12, 2017, DILG-NCR said that President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed its office and the MMDA to sue barangay officials who neglect or refuse to cooperate with concerned agencies in clearing roads of all types of obstructions.
“The DILG-NCR, in coordination with the city/municipal mayors who exercise supervisory power over barangays, through the City Management Office of the LGU (local government unit), will monitor barangay actions in carrying on the task in clearing local roads from (sic) obstructions.
Administrative complaint for neglect of duty will be filed with the concerned Sangguniang Panlungsod and/or to the Office of the Ombudsman that roads are free from (sic) any obstructions,” the memorandum read.
The MMDA previously filed before the Ombudsman administrative cases against four barangay chairmen in Metro Manila for failing to clear local roads of obstructions. These roads had been initially cleared by MMDA personnel.
Charged with gross neglect of duty last week were Michael Philip Factor of Barangay Chairman of Dongalo, Parañaque City, and Elmer Maturan of Barangay Bagumbayan, Quezon City.
Earlier, two barangay officials were also charged befroe the Ombudsman for allowing illegal parking in the roads of their villages.
The officials were identified as Antonio Benito Calma Jr. of Barangay Don Manuel and Clarito de Jesus of Barangay Veterans Village.