DPWH to remove Spanish-era Anda Circle in Manila to ease traffic woes

Saying the Spanish-era Anda Circle in Manila "has no historical value," the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to remove the monument in a bid to ease traffic woes in the area, according to a report by JP Soriano on "News To Go" on Monday.

The monument is situated in a roundabout on Bonifacio Drive, a road taken by vehicles going to and from Port Area, Navotas, Malabon and Roxas Boulevard.

With constant road repairs and cargo trucks using the road around the clock, traffic in the area has intensified—and for the DPWH, the solution is to knock down the monument.

Its removal is scheduled to take place within the next two weeks.



According to the report, Bonifacio Drive will retain four lanes each way. A center island will take the roundabout's place in the intersection between Bonifacio and Soriano Avenue, which leads into Intramuros. Traffic lights will be installed on each corner.

"We will replace the rotonda and it will become an ordinary intersection," DPWH Undersecretary Raul Asis said in a separate interview.

"We want a freer flow of traffic, especially for trucks. We feel kung gagawin namin na signal light ang intersection, mas gaganda ang flow ng traffic," he added.

The monument was erected during the Spanish colonial era in honor of Simon de Anda, who was governor-general of the islands from 1770 to 1776.

The DPWH said it has consulted with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Intramuros administration and the Department of Tourism about what to do with Anda Circle.

"Wala siyang historical value," said DPWH-NCR chief Reynaldo Tagudando in the "News To GO" report. "[M]aglalagay kami ng island na kung saan ilalagay yung traffic lights."

Asis said the DPWH has to "coordinate with" the NHCP on where to transfer the monument, but said it will be moved to a nearby place. "We are finalizing plans. Hopefully, we would finish with the plans next week," he said.— BM, GMA News