Fernando: Squatters, blocked drains caused airport traffic jam

MANILA, Philippines – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando blamed yesterday clogged drains and squatters for a traffic jam near the Ninoy Aquino International Aiport that lasted at least three hours Friday night.

“The airport area was affected by the heavy traffic because of the flooding in Pasco Drive and Imelda Avenue… because of the informal settlers. They are throwing their garbage in the drainage and that clogged it,” Fernando said.

The traffic jam affected motorists along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Pasco Drive and Imelda Avenue.

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Fernando said he has ordered the declogging of the drainpipe and the eviction of 100 squatter families along Pasco Drive and Imelda Avenue.

“We have not been able to conduct the demolition until now because the National Housing Authority has not provided us with funding for their relocation yet. We are doing our duty. We have given them notices already. The informal settlers must be evicted from the area because they are the cause of flooding there during the rainy season,” he said.

Fernando called on the management of SLEX to immediately conduct repairs on the damaged drainage along the highway, which resulted in flooding along the service road.

“There are drainages there that they are not repairing. Aside from the traffic in SLEX, Pasco Drive and Imelda Avenue, there was smooth flow of traffic in the rest of Metro Manila,” he said.

In another part of Parañaque, members of the city’s traffic management office were tasked to help motorists going through the intersection of MIA Road and the old Quirino Highway, where waterpipe repairs and road construction have contributed to the traffic buildup in the area. – Jose Rodel Clapano, Rhodina Villanueva