The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has agreed to temporarily halt excavation activities on Metro Manila roadways to offer relief to commuters and motorists during the Christmas season.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has earned the cooperation of the DPWH to enforce this measure in a bid to ease the anticipated traffic during the holiday rush.
MMDA chairman Don Artes said excavation works that cause obstruction or affect traffic flow in the metropolis will be temporarily suspended from midnight of November 18 to midnight of December 25.
The moratorium does not cover certain government projects, including government flagship projects, DPWH bridge repair, flood interceptor catchment, asphalt overlay, sidewalk improvement, drainage improvement, footbridge projects, emergency leak repair, new water service connections, road activities without excavation, and Meralco relocation/emergency works.
MMDA records showed that traffic volume rises 15 to 20 percent between November and December.
The agency is also expecting the traffic volume to increase because of the influx of people and vehicles coming from various provinces in Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon.
The MMDA is currently apprehending illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions along Mabuhay Lanes, the alternate routes used by private motorists.
The Mabuhay Lanes are alternative routes to the 23.8-kilometer EDSA, covering the cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Manila, and Quezon City, as well as secondary roads going to shopping destinations in Metro Manila such as Baclaran in Parañaque, Greenhills in San Juan, Divisoria, and Carriedo in Manila.
The agency formed the 70-man Special Operation Group – Strike Force team to augment the clearing operations of illegally parked vehicles.
The MMDA chief urged the public to report to the agency areas where there is a high concentration of illegally parked vehicles.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “MMDA imposes 2-month break on road works.”
