MMDA to oppose DPWH plan for daily roadwork in summer

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday said it will oppose a plan by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct road repairs every day this summer.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said conducting daily reblocking or road repairs would greatly inconvenience the public.

He said the DPWH should submit its road repair schedule for the whole year “so we can study everything in one go.”

The DPWH submits its plan for the weekend repair each Wednesday, for approval on Thursday, and start the roadwork on Friday night, Tolentino said, noting that its officials then complain that the roadwork is delayed.

“They are delayed because they don’t submit plans early,” he said.

Tolentino said he told the DPWH to do their road repairs during Holy Week.

Earlier, DPWH-National Capital Region director Reynaldo Tagudando said he intends to ask the MMDA for permission to “work every day on concrete reblocking” once classes end this month.

Considering the backlog on their road repair program, Tagudando said he is hoping that MMDA would allow them to continue working even during weekdays until the second week of June.

In his proposal, Tagudando said their road repairs cover EDSA and other national roads.

“Only 50 percent of our concrete re-blocking program for 2013 has been completed. If we only work during weekends, these projects would spill over up to 2015, not to mention that there are other concrete re-blocking activities that are also lined up for 2014,” he said.