MMDA personnel with pending cases ordered to clean dirty canals

Erring personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority have been ordered to clean dirty drainage canals around the capital.

In a statement, MMDA chairman Tim Orbos said at least 60 personnel facing administrative complaints ranging from simple negligence to extortion will be deployed to the Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office to assist in the agency's "Estero Blitz" flood mitigation program.

"They (MMDA personnel) will be working on a more productive activity while their cases are being heard," Orbos said.

He said the reassignment allows the cases of the erring personnel to be heard without influence or coercion of the complainants.

Orbos likewise assured those with plantilla positions who are accused of wrongdoing or corruption will be given due process.

Orbos said he is also considering to place the erring MMDA personnel on a three-month training with the Philippine Army.

"We are also seriously contemplating the idea of sending these enforcers with pending cases to the Army reservist training in Cavite for three months since MMDA is an Army Reserve Command," he said.

"Maybe undergoing military training would help instill values and discipline to these erring personnel," he added. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/ALG, GMA News