Contractors fined P1.2 million for unfinished road works

MANILA, Philippines — Two contractors that failed to finish their road projects on EDSA on time, causing traffic jams after the Holy Week break, should pay a total of P1.2 million in fines, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday.

HGC Global Communications and R Link Corp. were both tapped by a telecommunications firm to install underground fiber optic cables, according to acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes.

The MMDA might consider revising its rules on issuing permits for road works, particularly to include owners among those who should be held liable for incomplete road works, he said.

The two contractors left 24 out of 40 road diggings along EDSA from West Avenue in Quezon City to Boni Avenue in Mandaluyong City, the MMDA reported.

They did not finish their road works, which were supposed to be done from March 27 to April 1, and caused heavy vehicular traffic at portions of EDSA where the diggings were left open or still had freshly poured concrete, according to the MMDA.