Novaliches, a traffic discipline zone

Fed up with complaints from motorists about the traffic bottlenecks in Novaliches, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. declared the district a "Traffic Disciplinary Zone."

For starters, the mayor ordered the dismantling of illegal vendors’ structures along General Luis street and Susana Road – two areas where many traffic gridlock happens daily.

"We did that just before the opening of classes last June 11," said Belmonte. "I’m happy to say we eliminated the chaos that often happens in these two areas."

He said that in two weeks, sidewalks in the two areas have been cleared of street vendors who block the flow of traffic and sidewalk barriers have been put up to keep pedestrians off the main road.

The two streets have also been declared "No Loading, No Unloading" areas. Traffic authorities have instead put up designated loading and unloading terminals for public utility vehicles.

Belmonte put in charge of the operation Novaliches District Center coordinator Tadeo Palma.

The mayor said the district which is Quezon City’s next "Growth Center," will serve as a pilot testing site for a project with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) called "Oplan Kaayusan at Kalinisan."

"We’ll make the district a downtown center," Belmonte said, "and the first thing we need to do is to clear the roads of traffic bottlenecks."– Romel Bagares