MMDA to arrest contractors for unscheduled diggings

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Oscar Inocentes said yesterday the MMDA will not hesitate to arrest contractors of local utility companies that cause traffic jams along EDSA and other major roads with their unscheduled repairs.

Inocentes said he would also order the confiscation of any construction equipment blocking the roads during rush hours.

He urged contractors to strictly comply not only with the appropriate safety guidelines but also with the MMDA’s traffic regulations.

“Before you make any digging or close any portion of the road, submit your notice, traffic plans, and timetables. If you don’t follow this rule, I will arrest you,” Inocentes told contractors during a meeting at the MMDA office in Makati City yesterday.

Inocentes said he is disturbed with the rising number of complaints from angry motorists caught in heavy traffic on EDSA due to unscheduled roadwork.

He also ordered contractors of local water utilities involved in roadwork along EDSA to restore all roads back to their original condition after they are done.

Inocentes also said he will not also tolerate any unjustified extensions of any road work schedules.

“The work should be completed on the timetable they had submitted to us in applying for an excavation permit from the MMDA,” he pointed out.

MMDA general manager and spokesman Robert Nacianceno said the MMDA is also a law enforcement agency that could order the arrest of persons and seizure of equipment.

Inocentes also asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to reschedule its concrete re-blocking of EDSA in the summer.

Inocentes added that the DPWH should also coordinate all roadwork along EDSA with the MMDA’s traffic monitoring center, so that the MMDA could immediately come up with traffic rerouting measures. – Mike Frialde