MMDA Ramps Up Street Clearing, Estero Cleaning Efforts

After successfully clearing the Baclaran area of illegal vendors and other obstructions, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) now turns its attention toward other choke points in the metro known to cause major traffic problems and headaches to motorists and commuters alike.

MMDA General Manager Tim Orbos said that they will step up clearing operations in areas of Alabang, Balintawak, Cubao, Divisoria, and Monumento. The agency plans to begin towing and impounding illegally parked vehicles in these areas before December this year.

“We want to continue these operations and strike while the iron is hot, so to speak, and while we have the momentum on our side,” said Orbos. “Everyone thought that clearing and cleaning Baclaran is an insurmountable task but nothing is impossible if we work together.”

A consultative approach

The MMDA chief added that they intend to use the regular “consultative approach” that has so far worked in their favor. The government agency recently reclaimed four lanes in Baclaran previously overtaken by illegal street vendors, illegal terminals, and other obstacles, and opened these to traffic. MMDA hopes they can repeat their success in Baclaran in the choke points mentioned.

The MMDA’s clearing operations complement their various traffic decongestion efforts, such as the number-coding scheme and the transfer of the Southwest bus terminal from Coastal Mall to HK Sun Plaza, as the agency strives to curb the notorious traffic situation in the Metro.

MMDA also filed administrative charges against a number of barangay chairmen for failing to keep their areas free of illegally parked vehicles and similar road hindrances.

Estero Blitz program

Aside from improving traffic flow, the agency is also looking to improve cleanliness and sanitation in the Metro. Lawyer Victor Nuñez, MMDA liaison officer for government agencies, said that they plan to charge at least four barangay heads with neglect of duty for failing to keep clean the waterways cleaned up by the agency. Nuñez said that they plan to file the cases next week at the Office of the Ombudsman. He did not divulge information on who the errant barangay leaders are and which cities they hail from.

The MMDA conducts an annual cleanup drive during summer of Metro Manila’s 273 esteros. The drive, called the "Estero Blitz" is a program resumed by former MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino in 2014 that seeks not only to prevent garbage from clogging pumping stations, but also to get rid of possible breeding areas for disease-carrying rodents and insects.

By filing administrative cases against negligent barangay leaders, Nuñez hopes to send a clear message to other local officials that the MMDA is serious in holding them accountable for maintaining discipline and order in the areas they govern.