UPDATED: MMDA, i-ACT will suspend excavations from November to January

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) decided to temporarily suspend all excavation works in anticipation of the increased volume of traffic on major roads and secondary streets this Christmas season.

A HALT TO ALL EXCAVATIONS. With the impending Christmas rush, the MMDA has decided to suspend all excavations along major roads and secondary streets. Image grabbed from Inquirer.net

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos met with representatives from utility companies last Tuesday, October 4 to ask them to comply with the directive. MMDA said that these excavations tend to slow down the flow of traffic on major and secondary roads because of the spike of vehicles using them during Christmas season.

The Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (i-ACT) has also reached out to operators of utility companies in order to set a moratorium on road repairs and diggings from November 1, 2016 to January 9, 2017.

Any activities classified as urgent, on the other hand, which have been granted exemptions under MMDA Ordinance No. 2, series of 1991 will not be affected. At least one project has been deemed urgent: the construction of Skyway Stage 3.

Anyone who violates the said order will be fined and heavily penalized under Section 3 of the MMDA Amended Regulation No. 11-002, series of 2011.

The MMDA likewise advised the Department of Public Works and Highways and other concerned agencies to ensure that the roads are free from any obstructions and can be used by vehicles and pedestrians during the holidays.

Source: InterAksyon, Business Mirror, DOTr Website