MMDA orders 20-day moratorium on road repairs

MANILA, Philippines - A 20-day moratorium on street diggings and repair imposed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) took effect yesterday.

The MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) agreed on the moratorium last month in anticipation of heavy traffic during the Christmas season.

Under the agreement, road repairs will be suspended until Jan. 2.

MMDA spokesperson Alu Dorotan, however, clarified that the moratorium excludes DPWH pilot projects including the construction of an underpass at the intersection of Araneta Avenue and E. Rodriguez Boulevard.

Dorotan said “emergency repairs” to be carried out by utility companies such as the repair of leaking or busted water pipes are also not covered by the moratorium.

Also as part of its traffic management plan for the Christmas season, the MMDA yesterday deployed 500 “retrained” and “made-over” traffic enforcers to oversee traffic management along EDSA.

Called the “EDSA 500 traffic constables,” these traffic enforcers are authorized to issue traffic violation receipts to erring motorists.