Road clearing operations have been intensified by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) across Metro Manila to recover public spaces long obstructed by illegal parking, sidewalk vendors, and other road encroachments.

Gabriel Go, head of the MMDA’s Special Operations Group-Strike Force, said the clearing efforts are focused on alternate routes in cities such as Manila, Caloocan, Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Navotas, where road obstructions have displaced pedestrians and worsened traffic flow.

“What we are doing is not just traffic management—it’s road reclamation,” Go said, emphasizing that roads and sidewalks must be accessible to the commuting public and emergency responders, not for private or commercial misuse.

He noted that prolonged inaction has led to narrow roadways and disappearing sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to walk alongside moving vehicles, often at the expense of safety and mobility.

The intensified clearing drive comes as motorists are being rerouted to secondary roads due to ongoing rehabilitation works along the southbound segment of EDSA, from Roosevelt Avenue to Balingasa, many of which are also hampered by obstructions.

Lawyer Victor Nuñez, MMDA Traffic Enforcement Group director, said the agency is closely coordinating with local government units and barangay officials to maintain cleared areas and prevent the return of illegal structures and parked vehicles.

“It’s not just about easing congestion—it’s about reclaiming what has long been lost to neglect: public spaces that should serve everyone,” Nuñez said.

He also warned motorists against using unauthorized emergency and media exemption stickers to bypass the number coding scheme, calling it an abuse of privilege that the agency is actively addressing.

Nuñez added that the MMDA is working with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and law enforcement agencies to ensure the full implementation of the single ticketing system, which will prohibit vehicle registration renewal for those with unpaid traffic violations.

Despite the challenges, Go said the core mission of the MMDA’s operations remains consistent: to restore order and fairness on the road and ensure public spaces are safe and accessible to all.