New MMDA chairman Danny Lim vows ‘culture of discipline’ on Metro roads

Newly appointed MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim on Tuesday vowed to bring a "culture of discipline" in Metro Manila's roads to solve the problem of traffic congestion.

In an interview with reporters in between his meetings at the MMDA headquarters, Lim warned  that corrupt traffic enforcers will be charged in court or removed from the service.

"Puwede sila matanggal, puwede sila makasuhan," he said.

He likewise warned motorists, vendors and drivers of public utility vehicles that they should also follow the rules because the MMDA will bring back the "culture of discipline" in Metro Manila streets.

"Ano ba ugat ng problema? May gumagawa ng pera. Hindi naman maglalakas loob ang mga colorum vehicle yan kung walang kausap yan o magpa-park dyan o mag aano ng puwesto sa mga sidewalk na hindi dapat. May mga nakikinabang dyan," Lim said.

He acknowledged that some solutions to the traffic woes will take time such as building more roads and mass transport system.

But to effect immediate change, Lim said he will "go back to basics" instead of implementing "fancy" solutions.

He said he will start with ridding the agency of corruption, an instruction that came from President Duterte himself.

"Paulit-ulit na sinabi nya sa atin linisin mo yung ahensya. Siguro may alam sya na may mga problema tugkol sa korapsyon dito. Clean up the agency - yun ang mahigpit na binilin nya sa akin," Lim said.

"Ang plano ko magpapa-conduct ako ng audit. Yun ang umpisa, mag-o-audit tayo not necessarily to run after people, magdiin ng tao but i would like to know where I'm starting from," he added.

Lim, a former member of the elite Army unit called the Scout Rangers was involved in several military uprisings against then President Cory Aquino.

He was able to return to military service after the conclusion of the peace talks with military rebels under the administration of then President Ramos.

Lim also served under then President Noynoy Aquino as Bureau of Customs Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence.

"Basic implementation....let's develop a culture of discipline nang sa ganoon ay bumalik ang order. Napaka-komplikado ng problema but with forceful action, we can bring back order," Lim said. —NB, GMA News