Moratorium on road diggings

The moratorium on road diggings for the holiday season begins, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced yesterday.

In a press conference, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said the agency has stopped giving permits for road diggings in the metropolis in anticipation of heavy holiday traffic.

"Contractors can continue with their road projects but they cannot have new diggings. They cannot break pavements," Fernando said.

The moratorium began yesterday and would end on Jan. 3, Fernando added.

The MMDA chair warned that violators will be arrested and fined between P5,000 to P20,000.

The contractor’s permit will also be cancelled and their equipment impounded.

"We will hold the workers and officers of their company liable for any violation," Fernando said. — Nikko Dizon