Excavation works in NCR to be postponed starting next week

The leadership of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced all excavation activities in the national roads within their area of jurisdiction will be temporarily postponed in preparation for the expected traffic jams for the yuletide season.

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said that suspension will be effective beginning midnight of November 14 up to midnight of January 6 next year. The aforementioned road works cover road reblocking, pipe laying, road upgrading, and all other excavation projects.

Below are projects that are not included in the said suspension:

• Flagship projects of the government
• DPWH bridge repair/construction
• Flood interceptor catchment project (box culvert)
• Asphalt overlay projects without reblocking works
• Sidewalk improvement
• Drainage improvement projects along the sidewalk and not occupying any part of the roadway
• Footbridge projects
• Emergency leak repair or breakage of water line by Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services
• Project using trenchless or horizontal directional drilling method
• New water service or electrical service connections
• Road activities without excavation (traffic clearance only)
• Traffic signalization projects
• Meralco relocation works affecting major projects of the government

Further, mall owners and operators in Metro Manila are set to adjust their operations from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the same period. The adjustment was the result of the consultative meeting with major stakeholders yesterday after Artes requested them to alter their operating hours to help mitigate congestion.

“We have to implement remedial measures to reduce traffic congestion," Artes was quoted as saying.

 “Mall wide sales will be only allowed during weekends. Also, deliveries will be during 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. only. Exempted from the regulation are deliveries of perishable goods, restaurants serving breakfast, and groceries,” he added.

 The re-installed MMDA chair directed mall operators to submit their respective traffic management plans as well as indicate their mall sales and promotional events two weeks before the scheduled of such events.

"We will make a further study on their traffic management plan. We will deploy the necessary number of traffic enforcers to man the traffic," Artes noted.

Further, Artes hinted at the possibility of lifting mall operating hours restrictions prior to the January 6 timeline — depending on the traffic situation after Christmas. "If the traffic is normal and manageable, we will immediately lift the restrictions and announce it to the public," he said.

 Present during the meeting are representatives from SM Malls, Robinson’s, Araneta Center, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Shopping Center, Trinoma Vertis, among others.

Photos from Ruben D. Manahan IV, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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