MMDA pursues road clearing ops in heavily congested MM areas

“Everyone must make sacrifices in order to see the change we want. After all, nobody is spared from the traffic problem in Metro Manila,” according to Orbos. (Photo: Adkranz/ Wikipedia)

MANILA–The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is planning to conduct further road clearing operations in Metro Manila following the successful clearing conducted by the agency in Baclaran last Friday.

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said the agency will clear road obstructions in some of the heavily congested areas in the metropolis such as Balintawak, Cubao and Quiapo after Baclaran area which has been noted for its congested roads due to numerous sidewalk vendors and illegally parked vehicles.

“The template calls for no demolition, no hostility, but we will be enforcing the laws, coordinate with local officials and ask for cooperation from the stakeholders particularly the local area transport groups and market vendors. The aim of the program is sustainability,” Orbos said in a statement.

The MMDA official stated that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will provide skills training to sidewalk vendors who might be displaced due to the clearing operations in order to provide them an alternative source of livelihood.

The vendors will be relocated to a more conducive place where they can do their business without obstructing traffic flow.

“Everyone must make sacrifices in order to see the change we want. After all, nobody is spared from the traffic problem in Metro Manila,” according to Orbos.