MMDA: No Metro roadworks from Nov. 1, 2017 to Jan. 15, 2018

The moratorium on roadworks, including diggings, repairs and reblocking in Metro Manila will be enforced as early as November 1 to somehow ease the burden of motorists and commuters during the Christmas holidays, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced yesterday.

Jojo Arturo Garcia, MMDA assistant general manager for planning, said ongoing excavation works cause traffic snarls on major thoroughfares, and must be temporarily put on hold.

“All excavation activities in Metro Manila’s road right-ofway (national or city roads)… are hereby ordered temporarily suspended effective midnight of November 1, 2017 to midnight of Friday, January 15, 2018,” a memorandum circular issued by MMDA stated.

Garcia said the moratorium only covers projects on major city roads.

It includes any digging in the road right-of-way, including passageways and sidewalks, within the cities or municipalities of Metro Manila for the installation, repair, or improvement of water pipes, telephone or telegraph wires or cable conduits, sewers and drainage systems, communication and power line improvements being undertaken by any government agency, public and private contractors.

“With the stoppage of these obstructions, we hope that traffic would not be that heavy,” said Garcia.

Garcia said government flagship projects are exempted from the suspension.

“We have talked with officials of concerned agencies, local engineering district officials, Department of Public Works and Highways and water utility lines to submit a list of their road works for us to assess whether they would be exempted from the moratorium,” said Garcia, in a press briefing on Monday.