‘Unfinished road works cause EDSA traffic jams’

MANILA, Philippines — Monstrous traffic jams greeted motorists along EDSA and others parts of Metro Manila yesterday – the resumption of work and classes after the Holy Week break – due to unfinished road repairs.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said vehicles crawled along the southbound lane of EDSA in Cubao, Quezon City during the morning rush hour.

The MMDA said chokepoints were at the intersections of EDSA southbound along Kaingin Road, Dario Bridge U-turn slot, West Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Scout Borromeo and Annapolis at around 6 a.m.

Major roads in Quezon City and Pasay were congested as commuters returned from the provinces after the Holy Week.

Motorists posted photos of open manholes, improvised barriers around newly concreted roads and workers digging on Facebook and X.

According to acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, the contractors of a telecommunications firm failed to finish 24 out of 40 road works along EDSA, from West Avenue in Quezon City to Boni Serrano Avenue in Mandaluyong.

The road repairs should have been finished by 5 a.m. yesterday, the MMDA said.

The contractors may face a fine of P50,000 daily for each road digging left unfinished, Artes said.

They might also be banned from getting road works permits, he added.