Quezon City demolishes illegal ‘toll booths’ along public roads

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has demolished several guard houses being used to collect fees from motorists passing through public roads that are located in private subdivisions.

Mayor Joy Belmonte yesterday warned homeowners’ associations against collecting fees from motorists passing through their villages and subdivisions, especially those that have been identified as mabuhay lanes.

“We do not tolerate private subdivisions that take advantage of our motorists just because they have to pass their gates. Mabuhay lanes are public roads and no one should pay any amount to access these roads,” she said.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. We must refrain from obstructing public roads to give way not just to motorized vehicles but also to alternative transportation users and pedestrians,” she added.

The city’s department of public order and safety recently demolished at least seven guard houses considered as road obstructions in various mabuhay lanes.

A subdivision also voluntarily demolished two of its guard houses after being flagged by the city government.