MMDA orders removal of abandoned vehicles, broken barriers under flyovers

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Benhur Abalos on Tuesday directed the removal of clutter and obstructions, including illegally parked and abandoned vehicles, under three flyovers in EDSA.

In a statement, the MMDA said Abalos inspected the ground level of several flyovers along EDSA in line with the agency's drive against urban decay and to ensure orderliness and cleanliness in the region.

Areas inspected were EDSA-Kamuning, Timog and Quezon Avenue.

“Hindi puwedeng gamiting impounding ito. This is a national highway… kalye ito. Maski sino, bawal gumamit nito. We will coordinate with the proper authorities on this matter,” Abalos said.

(This can’t be used for impounding. This is a national highway. Nobody is allowed to use this. We will coordinate with the proper authorities on this matter.)

Photo: MMDA

"No parking" and "tow away" signs will be placed in these areas, the MMDA said.

Abalos appealed to the vehicle owners to refrain from parking on the ground level of flyovers to maintain it as open space.

“I will make sure that violators will be sanctioned and issued violation tickets for illegal parking,” he said.

Abalos also instructed the heads of Metro Parkways Clearing Group (MPCG) and Road Emergency Group (REG) to remove unnecessary MMDA equipment on the said areas.

“The equipment that the MMDA is utilizing for emergency purposes will be retained, but not these much. Further, we will identify strategic locations to relocate the remaining equipment. MMDA should set an example here,”  he said.

According to MMDA, the discarded damaged orange barriers will be disposed of as garbage, while broken concrete barriers will be smashed and used as filling materials at the MMDA Tumana Impounding Area in Marikina.

Abalos noted that this directive is applicable to all areas within the jurisdiction of MMDA and not only along EDSA. — BM, GMA News