'No man's land': Where the road ends
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
We’ve seen how some of our roads and highways have been constructed, and literally, it makes me want to laugh with despair. Not only do some roads end nowhere, but even on city streets, we see utility poles sitting right on the roads, presenting a hazard to anyone not familiar with the locale.
But it hurts because you and I pay taxes that pay for road construction. Literally everyone, even the jobless, are taxed on anything and everything — income, real estate, and on all our purchases in the form of VAT (Value Added Tax). Hence, it is but fair if we expect to benefit from the fruit of our labor, including access to good roads.
One particular road construction that will be tackled in this column is personal, as my family lives in the locality where this is situated. Anyone familiar with Commonwealth Avenue knows how terrible the traffic is there, especially with the MRT-7 construction. For our village and many other subdivisions in the area around the Ever Commonwealth Mall, that road under construction was our only way out to the rest of Metro Manila for many years.
A few years back, the long-planned Katipunan Extension started construction that would connect Batasan and San Mateo, and ease traffic congestion on Commonwealth Avenue. Finally, there would be another way out of our area. Our village was going to be affected because Katipunan Extension would run through part of our village. So, our homeowners association planned ahead to safeguard our homeowners whose houses would front Katipunan Extension. Vacant lots were walled off and a new gate was built fronting Katipunan Extension.
When it was announced that it was open to traffic, we were dismayed to see that the northbound section stopped at the Northview Subdivision, where it was blocked by houses in its path to Katipunan Extension. Now, DPWH will have to contend with right-of-way issues there.
Meanwhile, on the southbound side, the situation wasn’t that much better. The new road failed to connect to the Katipunan Extension passing through Loyola Grand Villas (LGV) because of a 15–20 meter stretch that was walled off. So, the new construction stopped right there.
In order for us to reach the LGV side of Katipunan Extension, we have to go through a new gated community development, which, fortunately, the owners have so far graciously allowed us to detour through. However, the new development’s clubhouse is nearing completion, and with it, they will start offering the lots for sale. Naturally, we are anticipating it might be the end of our access to the Katipunan Extension part in LGV, which connects to Katipunan Avenue in the UP area, from where we can access most of Metro Manila without having to contend with heavily congested Commonwealth Avenue.
With that scenario looming over our heads, the presidents of the seven affected villages signed a letter of appeal addressed to the mayors of Quezon City, where our villages are, and Marikina City which the LGV is part of, to open up that 15-meter stretch of “no man’s land.” We also furnished copies of the letter to DPWH, DILG, and MMDA.
Upon discreet inquiry, we learned that someone who lives in LGV had blocked the opening. As to why, we can only surmise that he has the title to that stretch of land, and that he is so powerful that he can stop the DPWH from proceeding with its construction.
In fairness to Quezon City Hall, they tried to open it but were stopped due to the territory being part of Marikina City. So, the ball is now in Marikina City’s hands.
Recently, the MMDA sent a team to check on the situation. Based on their appraisal, it is probably a right-of-way issue and MMDA is not in a position to act on it.
Two days ago, we received an acknowledgment letter from DILG saying that the matter is now in the hands of the DILG-NCR “for its appropriate action, in accordance with the existing laws, rules and regulations, and policies of the Department.”
We still have to hear from DPWH, which is the main government agency involved in this construction. Surely, its people would know much more about the matter and can enlighten us on our predicament.
Hopefully, reason and the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number will prevail so that we can enjoy the benefits of paying our taxes. But in this benighted country, we are pretty much subject to the tyranny of a privileged few, who can seal off a road under construction or stop traffic just to 'wang-wang' their way through, notwithstanding the intense traffic congestion it causes.