Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos today met with representatives of utility companies to streamline road diggings and excavation works on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, particularly along EDSA.
Abalos, during the meeting, said utility companies need to synchronize their road diggings, excavations, and repairs on major roads that cause inconvenience to motorists.
“The conduct of road diggings, excavations and other similar works should be done harmoniously, “said Abalos. “The utility companies should conduct works on a particular area synchronously so that road diggings are not done repeatedly, except for emergency repairs,” the MMDA chief emphasized.
To achieve this, the MMDA asked the private firms to submit an inventory of their respective projects as well as length of time of construction and closely coordinate with the MMDA to ensure that road works in Metro Manila are managed efficiently.
Moreover, they need to secure a permit from the concerned Metro Manila local government unit (LGU) and submit a traffic management plan before a road work project starts to ensure minimal effect to traffic flow.
“We need to work together. If we can do our projects simultaneously on a certain area, we will execute a single traffic management plan,” Abalos told the private firms.
For his part, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the agency needs to be notified at least three days in advance and time-table so it can also inform the Department of Public Works and Highways.
At present, the government is fast-tracking the buildup of telecommunications infrastructure in the country. ICT Service Providers are allowed to undertake excavations and restoration works for ICT infrastructure projects within allowable right-of-way limits of national roads.
(Press Release)
