MMDA to clear 17 Mabuhay Lanes until June

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) would go on clearing the 17 Mabuhay Lanes until June next year to decongest EDSA, and will provide alternative routes for motorists even after the holiday season.

“Our team will continue to tow vehicles and fine its drivers P200 if they park along the streets from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.,” said MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos.

MMDA set a regulation that Mabuhay Lanes should be free from any form of obstruction from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. However, motorists can park their vehicles along the designated alternative routes beyond these hours.

The MMDA added that access roads in the metropolis can be used as Mabuhay Lanes aside from the existing routes.

MMDA Chairman Carlos said the local government units (LGUs) in Manila can also suggest roads that can be utilized as Mabuhay Lanes. He said that he have not yet received any recommendations from the LGUs, making it a big help to motorists and commuters.

“We want these lanes to serve as a model for other roads in Metro Manila which can be used as alternate routes but are being blocked by cars and equipments used by vulcanizing shops, carwash businesses and even basketball courts,” Carlos added.

Carlo hopes that local governments would follow their initiative and also start the road clearing operations in their respective areas, and also hopes that the next administration would adopt the program since obstruction-free lanes would benefit the motorists in avoiding heavy traffic on EDSA.

Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, head of the EDSA Traffic Technical Working Group, said the government should continue to remove the roadblocks along the alternate routes until the traffic flow eases the Metro.

“People in the Metro should be moved so the new bridges across the Pasig River will be built,” Almendras added.

Almendras is also asking for more patience from the public in clearing the Mabuhay Lanes since it will also benefit the commuters.

However, the clearing operations which began on Nov. 2 was being resisted by some people.