Joy Belmonte: 'Defer closure of Tandang Sora flyover'

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte yesterday expressed support for the proposal to delay by one week the planned closure of the Tandang Sora flyover, which will be demolished for the construction of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7).

Belmonte said the postponement of the flyover’s closure, originally scheduled on Feb. 23, would allow government agencies to better inform motorists about alternative routes.

“I think there should be a delay because we found that many people are still uninformed about the closure of the flyover. So we’re asking if a one–week postponement is OK. We want to assure the public that everything is ironed out,” she said during a public consultation attended by various stakeholders at the city hall.

“There are a lot of things that still have to be disseminated to the public. Three days will not be enough. But if Transportation Secretary (Arthur) Tugade will not allow it, we will work with the timeframe. We will work overtime to inform the people,” Belmonte added.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jose Garcia said he would endorse the proposal to defer the closure of the Tandang Sora flyover to the Department of Transportation.

During the public consultation, Belmonte reiterated her support for the MRT-7 project, saying the traffic jams to be caused by the construction activities are only temporary.

“It’s a momentary discomfort to pave the way for the construction of the MRT-7. It will ease monstrous traffic jams that we have been experiencing in the city for the past years,” she said.

Belmonte said the local government is ready to deploy additional personnel to ease the traffic congestion along Commonwealth Avenue once the demolition of the flyover begins.

“Our objective is to work with other government agencies because in the long term, we know these changes will be affecting us for the greater good of the city and the people,” the vice mayor said.

The MMDA earlier said the closure of the Tandang Sora flyover and intersections would last for two years.