MMDA sustains road clearing operations

THE Metropolitan Manila Developmentauthority(mmda) has issued tickets and towed over 600 illegally parked vehicles during recent clearing operations of Metro Manila’s Mabuhay Lanes, acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes reported on Tuesday.

“Umabot sa 657 ang nahuling sasakyan dahil sa paglabag sa illegal parking [There were 657 illegally parked vehicles that were apprehended],” he said. Artes added the intensified clearing operations were conducted from January 16 to 21.

Artes said that 243 other vehicles were towed or impounded for various traffic infractions in the same period.

Penalty for unattended illegally parked vehicles is P1,000, while attended and illegally parked vehicles will be fined P2,000.

Earlier, Artes announced that the agency would start to clear the Mabuhay Lanes that serve as the alternative routes for motorists traversing Edsa with the dispatch of three teams to remove all forms of road obstructions.

“We shall have no let-up in clearing the Mabuhay Lanes of different kinds of obstructions. That is proof that the government is serious in making our key routes accessible,” Artes then said at the ceremonial send-off of the team held in Baclaran, Pasay City on January 16.

The MMDA, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Capital Region Police Office, and local government units covered by identified Mabuhay Lanes, vowed to sustain the clearing and keep the alternate routes in the metropolis free from obstructions.

Artes said that regular operations and eventual turnover of the cleared areas to barangay officials is part of the memorandum of agreement between the agency and the DILG to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the roads.

There are 17 Mabuhay lane routes coming from Edsa, North Luzon Expressway, Quezon City and Manila.