Solon bats for elected Metro Manila governor to head MMDA

Instead of tasking the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to coordinate with local government units for the upkeep of the capital, a lawmaker has proposed the election of a governor for the National Capital Region. 

 

Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said the scope and magnitude of the problems besetting Metro Manila — ranging from traffic jams, flooding and cleanliness, among others — require the expertise of an elected official who would be accountable to his constituents.

 

He believes a governor would do a better job at managing Metro Manila than the MMDA, which is chaired by Francis Tolentino, an appointed official.

 

“Dapat ang Chairman ng MMDA ay elected kagaya ng governors sa New York and Tokyo. These are mega cities which used to have traffic problems like ours but which they were able to manage effectively with a Governor elected by the people and answerable and accountable to the people. The MMDA's present structure is failing for lack of accountability. An elected Governor would’ve been more sensitive to what needs to be done," Atienza said.

 

The party-list lawmaker, who formerly served as Manila mayor for three terms, said his experience in managing the capital showed the importance of having a master plan for development instead of implementing “palliative measures” for problems such as traffic congestion, flooding, peace and order, and garbage.

 

At present, Atienza noted that MMDA only serves as a coordinating agency for local government units, with its actions needing the approval of individual mayors.

 

“There should now be a permanent body considering all the changes the country has undergone and the experiences we have had. The present Chairman also faltered in fulfilling his task. There was no coordination to address the floods which caused disastrous traffic jams,” he said. 

 

The lawmaker said the MMDA was only effective when it was called the Metro Manila Commission in 1975 and headed by former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos. 

 

“After her, several caretakers came and went and Metro Manila continued to deteriorate,” Atienza said. —JST, GMA News