MMDA backs village roads’ opening

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) expressed support for the proposal to open up roads of private villages in Metro Manila as alternate traffic routes, especially during rush hour.

MMDA operations chief Emerson Carlos said they had earlier made a similar proposal for subdivisions and private villages in Makati City.

Carlos cited San Miguel Village in Barangay Poblacion in Makati that allowed its private roads to be used by motorists during rush hour.

Private motorists
during rush hours can pass through San Miguel Village from Kalayaan Avenue to J.P. Rizal St. near the Makati City Hall.

Carlos, however, stressed subdivision roads are private property and it would be up to the local government to convince the management of these subdivisions and private villages to allow motorists to use the roads.

“Allowing private motorists to use these subdivision roads as alternate routes, especially during the rush hours, would be very beneficial. But this has to be done through discussions between the subdivision managements and the local government,’ he said.

Carlos said the opening of private subdivision roads to private motorists remain one of the more viable options being considered by the MMDA to ease the impact of the 15 major infrastructure projects to be undertaken across Metro Manila.

Two of the projects – the Skyway 3 and the NAIA Expressway – have started construction.

The MMDA had earlier advised motorists in Metro Manila to brace for heavy traffic flow as the projects are expected to be finished by 2016.

The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), a state agency overseeing private subdivisions and public settlements, has started reviewing legal and pertinent laws governing subdivision roads, to allow their opening to private motorists.

The HLURB, as part of its review, is looking at the “no sticker, no entry” policy being imposed in these private subdivisions, as well as the fees and charges collected by homeowners’ associations from motorists passing through their villages.

With the implementation of 15 major infrastructure projects all over Metro Manila, the HLURB was earlier tasked to review the possible use of road networks inside private villages that connect to national and local roads.

HLURB is a planning, regulatory and quasi-judicial body for land use development and real estate and housing regulation.