MMDA fines contractor for obstructing traffic

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday fined a contractor working for the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) for obstructing traffic along the busy Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno said LRTA contractor DMCI-First Balfour (DMCI-FB), which is working on the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 line extension project, was penalized for failing to clear its construction site of construction equipment, materials and debris by 6 a.m.

Last week, MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes ordered LRTA contractors working on the MRT 3 extension, particularly from Roosevelt to Balintawak, to clear their working area by 6 a.m.

Inocentes gave the contractors a construction window from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. following complaints by motorists who have been inconvenienced by the construction activity.

“This has to be corrected. The LRTA contractors must finish their jobs on time because if not we will have to do our job. Let’s be clear on this, I don’t want anybody to go against our people, or I will use iron hand,” Inocentes said.

Inocentes said he has been informed that heavy equipment such as trucks and concrete mixers are blocking the flow of vehicular traffic at the construction areas.

“By 5 a.m., they should start clearing the lanes of EDSA of all heavy equipment and debris so that by 6 a.m., EDSA will be cleared of obstruction for the clear passage of the motorists,” Inocentes said.

However, according to Nacianceno, last Thursday at about 6 a.m., MMDA Traffic Operations Center head Angelito Vergel de Dios chanced upon DMCI-FB workers pouring concrete along EDSA in front of the Trinoma Mall, with equipment still strewn about.

De Dios then called for MMDA traffic enforcers and policemen to go to the area. By the time the lawmen got to the area, the heavy equipment had been kept and only some workers were seen.

Nacianceno said the P20,000 penalty may seem a bit light but the imposition of the maximum possible fine for traffic obstruction sends a message to contractors that the MMDA means business.

“The fine is only equivalent to the cost of mobilizing our equipment to have their heavy equipment removed from the area,” he said.

Nacianceno said that should DMCI-FB commit the same mistake again, the MMDA would be forced to impound all their heavy equipment involved in the project.

“But we are hoping that it would not come to that. I am sure contractors are responsible people,” he said.

The MMDA has observed that vehicular traffic along EDSA has become heavier with the holiday season. The ongoing construction of the MRT-3 line extension has aggravated the situation, he said.