MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is planning to demolish the Anda Circle in Port Area, Manila in a bid to ease traffic flow in the rotunda which is used by trucks loading and unloading shipments in the ports.
According to DPWH Undersecretary Raul Asis, they are planning to construct an intersection with traffic lights to replace the circle.
“We will replace the ‘rotunda’ and it will become an ordinary intersection,” Asis said in an interview on Monday.
He added: “We want a freer flow of traffic, especially for trucks. We feel kung gagawin namin na signal light ang intersection, mas gaganda ang flow ng traffic.”
The DPWH official said the demolition is on the planning stage as they are still coordinating with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NCHP) on where to transfer the monument, which is located at the center of the circle.
“We have to coordinate with NCHP on where to transfer the monument, but it would be placed nearby. We are finalizing plans, hopefully, we would finish with the plans next week,” Asis added.
He explained that the flow of vehicular traffic in the area will be okay if they will replace the rotunda with an intersection.
“If you demolish the circle, puro diretso na lang or kakaliwa. So, mas okay ang flow ng traffic,” Asis said.
He added that stakeholders have been informed regarding the plan to demolish the circle, and they agreed on the proposal.
Asis said the DPWH will shoulder the expenses but he cannot give an estimate as they expect to come up with a figure by the end of the week.
According to Wikipedia, Anda Circle, also known as Rotunda Anda, is a roundabout located at the boundary of Intramuros and Port Area in central Manila. It is an interchange system at the junction of Bonifacio Drive and Andres Soriano Avenue (formerly Calle Aduana) and serves as a prominent gateway to the Walled City.
Inside the circle are two levels of octagonal enclosures which forms the perimeter of the monument erected in honor of Simón de Anda y Salazar.
Anda was appointed as Governor General of the Philippines from 1770 to Oct. 30, 1776.