Road clearing has been one of the biggest operations of the MMDA. The good news is some LGUs have taken the same strides in ridding roads of illegal obstructions. Such is the case of the Paranaque City Traffic and Parking Management Office; they conducted an operation late last week along Macapagal Rd.-PITX and seemed to succeed in, well, clearing it.
MMDA needs LGUs’ help, and Paranaque TPMO rose to the occasion
Photo: Traffic and Parking Management Office – Parañaque City
We can remember that earlier this year, there were calls for the MMDA to be abolished, and the main reason behind it is that the agency allegedly encroaches on some LGUs’ authority in conducting clearing operations. Some LGUs may disagree that such clearing ops are a hindrance or travesty, though, as is the case of Paranaque after it has conducted clearing operations itself last week. Their target: Macapagal Rd.-PITX.
Photo: Traffic and Parking Management Office – Parañaque City
Through the combined efforts of the Mayor’s Action Support Group (MASG) and Task Force Paranaque, the Traffic and Parking Management Office led by Chief Reynaldo P. Murillo and Deputy Donald Matias went on to rid the road of obstructions and obstruction-causing establishments in the area on April 20. This included parked buses and vendor stalls situated on and along the sidewalks.
Not to be outdone by those who may persist, Chief Murillo issued a directive to conduct a follow-up on the previous day’s operations and were pleasantly greeted by an obstruction-free road. Part of the directive is to “maintain accessibility and clear the area of all road obstructions”. We certainly hope that this will, indeed, continue hereon.
Photo: Traffic and Parking Management Office – Parañaque City
Whether this was a “show of force”, that Paranaque City can do it itself, or if it’s taking a page out of MMDA’s book and whether this is working alongside or independent of the Metro Manila Development Authority, the effort is nonetheless impressive. Many will argue that this is discriminatory and even anti-poor (especially for those who have “shops” along the sidewalks), but there are also many who are in favor of hassle- and obstruction-free travels, travels that won’t have to be jammed with traffic.
Major kudos to Paranaque! Now let’s keep it clean and clear, yes?
