Opening of private roads to traffic sought

MANILA, Philippines - Two lawmakers have filed a bill which seeks to open subdivision roads to the public to ease traffic congestion in the metropolis.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Abante Mindanao partylist Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. filed House Bil 3806 to provide alternative routes or access to main thoroughfares.

Rodriguez said many have witnessed the gradual worsening of the traffic congestion in Metro Manila for the last 15 years.

"It behooves the government to address the problem more seriously. It is also imperative on the part of the private sector to contribute their share in the resolution of this problem," he said.

Rodriguez said the country is now faced with a scenario where employees in the public and private sectors, businessmen and students are not able to reach their destinations on time.

The traffic problem has also prevented the timely delivery of goods and services and has resulted in the ever-increasing prices of said goods and services.

The bill shall apply to all housing subdivisions and villages situated in Metro Manila. A subdivision or village situated within Metro Manila shall open for public use at least one road within its boundaries to vehicular traffic.

The use of subdivision or village roads shall be limited to vehicles with a gross vehicular weight of up to 4,500 kgs.

Under the measure, the Department of Public Works and Highways shall determine and identify the subdivisions or villages that must open at least one of the roads.

The DPWH shall notify the affected homeowners association and the residents of the subdivisions or villages of its decision, at least, 30 days before the opening of the roads to the public.

A subdivision, which has opened a road for public use, shall be allowed to collect a reasonable fee that shall not exceed P5 from every vehicle passing through said road. It may also collect an annual fee which shall not exceed P300 from every motorist using its access roads that shall be used to defray the cost of maintaining the subdivision or village roads as well as the cost of employing additional security personnel to man the said roads.

The bill seeks to amend Section 28 of Presidential Decree No. 957, or known as The Subdivision and Condominium Buyers' Protective Decree.