MMDA welcomes new chairperson Benhur Abalos

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday welcomed its new chairperson, former Mandaluyong City mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos, Jr.

In a statement, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the agency will support the new leadership under Abalos.

“The MMDA welcomes the appointment of former city mayor Benhur Abalos as our new chairman,” Garcia said.

“We vow to support his leadership, plans and programs in the pursuit of efficient and quality public service,” he added.

According to MMDA, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will administer the oath of office of Abalos at Malacañang on Monday afternoon.

Abalos will replace former MMDA chairman Danilo "Danny" Lim, who passed away last week. The cause of death has yet to be confirmed, but he earlier contracted COVID-19.

The new MMDA chairperson is the son of former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr. who was also chairperson of MMDA from January 2001 to June 2002.

He is married to incumbent Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita Aguilar-Abalos.

Abalos also served as president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and League of Cities of the Philippines from 2007 to 2010, the MMDA said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News