DOTr, DPWH, MMDA to Enhance Coordination to Address Traffic Woes

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In a bid to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), met yesterday afternoon to discuss measures to enhance inter-agency coordination, especially on the conduct of road diggings, excavations, and similar works in the region.

The meeting was spearheaded by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and DPWH Secretary Mark Villar in order to settle any issue arising from road works, especially on the major thoroughfares of the metropolis.

In the meeting, Usec. Romeo Momo of DPWH requested the MMDA to issue excavation clearance to DPWH districts instead of contractors to prevent delays and for them to efficiently manage road works.

“Instead of issuing permits to contractors, issue it to DPWH and we will ensure that they will abide by our guidelines,” Usec. Momo said.

In order to prevent long delays on project start date, DPWH likewise suggested for the MMDA to allow them to apply for an excavation clearance once a project is advertised instead of waiting until the project has been awarded to a certain contractor.

For her part, MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director Neomie Recio reminded DPWH to ensure that a Traffic Management Plan be in place before a road work project starts in order to guarantee its minimal effect to traffic flow.

"The contractors should submit their traffic management plan to you so you can review it before passing to us. Once it is submitted to MMDA, we will determine if it is acceptable and recommend necessary adjustments or revisions if needed,” Recio said. “Also, remind these contractors that excavation in major roads are only to be done between 10pm and 5am,” she added.

To sustain the level of coordination and review of existing guidelines, regular inter-agency meetings shall be conducted by the said agencies every 2nd Tuesday of each month. Further, erring contractors shall be determined during such meetings for the imposition of appropriate sanctions.

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