Kabihasnan Road opening: Jeepneys will have to go

It’s illegal but it’s not a nuisance. Thus, a Parañaque City official said yesterday that there are no moves from the city government to clear Kabihasnan Road of parked jeepneys.

Nevertheless, city public information officer Mar Jimenez gave an assurance that the "resting place" of the jeepney drivers would go as soon as Kabihasnan Road, which leads to Coastal Road, is opened to motorists.

"Bawal talaga ang ginawa nila (jeepney drivers) kaya lang hindi naman sila nakaka-perwisyo kaya pinabayaan muna namin. Definitely, out they go as soon as the road is opened," Jimenez said.

He explained that Kabihasnan Road has not been turned into a jeepney terminal, but a resting place of sorts where the drivers park and sleep during lean hours. He added that this was the "effect" of the road being closed for such a long time.

Kabihasnan, built as an alternative route for motorists from Parañaque and Las Piñas going to Coastal Road, was closed by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to give way for a Maynilad Water Company pipe laying project more than a year ago.

Jimenez said despite the completion of the project a few months ago, TRB has not opened the road and Maynilad has not restored the pavement yet, contrary to earlier reports.

Kabihasnan Road was meant to be an alternative route for motorists using Quirino Highway and Sucat Road/Ninoy Aquino Avenue bound for Baclaran using the Coastal Road. — Nikko Dizon