MMDA supports calls to open subdivisions to private cars

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is supporting the proposal to open-up the roads of private villages in Metro Manila as alternate traffic routes, especially during rush hours.

MMDA operations chief Atty. Emerson Carlos said the MMDA had made a similar proposal for subdivisions and private villages in Makati City.

One such village in Makati which was convinced by the MMDA to allow its private roads to be used by private motorists during rush hours is the San Miguel Village in Barangay Poblacion. Private motorists during rush hours can pass through village from Kalayaan Avenue to J.P. Rizal St. near the Makati City Hall.

Carlos, however, stressed that as subdivision roads are private property, it would be up to local government units to convince the management of these subdivisions and privae villages to allow private motorists to use the roads.

"Allowing private motorists to use these subdivision roads as alternate routes especially during the rush hours would be very beneficial. But this has to be done through discussions between the subdivision managements and the local government," said Carlos.

Carlos said the opening of private subdivision roads to private motorists remain one of the more viable options being considered by the MMDA to ease up the impact of the 15 major infrastructure projects across Metro Manila.

Nation ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Two of the projects - the Skyway 3 and the NAIA Expressway - have started construction. The MMDA had earlier advised motorists in Metro Manila to brace for heavy traffic flow as the projects are expected to be finished by 2016.

The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), a state agency overseeing private subdivisions and public settlements, has started reviewing legal and pertinent laws governing subdivision roads, to pave the way for their opening to private motorists.

The HLURB is looking at the “no sticker, no entry” policy being imposed in these private subdivisions, as well as the fees and charges collected by homeowners’ associations from private motorists passing through their villages.

With the implementation of 15 major infrastructure projects all over Metro Manila in the last stretch of the administration of President Aquino, the HLURB was earlier tasked to review the possible use of road networks inside private villages that connect to national and local roads.

HLURB is a planning, regulatory and quasi-judicial body for land use development and real estate and housing regulation.

Source: philstar.com - Nation