Metro News

Senator opposes abolition of MMDA
A lawmaker on Thursday highlighted the importance of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as he defended the agency amid a proposal in the House of Representatives to abolish the office for wasting public funds, according to a report by Philippine News Agency.
In an interview, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said MMDA has already became a big part of people's lives in Metro Manila in maintaining order in the region.
"Alam niyo, napakalaki ng Metro Manila, trapik, dikit-dikit yung mga syudad. Dapat may isang ahensya nga, itong (You know, Metro Manila is very large area, traffic, with cities very close to each other. There should be an agency, the) MMDA, to coordinate these cities. Sa akin, kontento naman ako sa trabaho ng (For me, I am contented with the performance of) MMDA," Go said during his aid distribution to indigent families in Mendez, Cavite.
The lawmaker noted that if ever there are issues with MMDA, it is better that these should be addressed rather than abolishing the agency itself.
"Kung saka-sakali mang may pagkukulang sila, silipin natin ng mabuti para maayos. Wala namang perpekto, para mas makakatulong pa ang MMDA sa mga kababayan natin sa (If ever they have lapses, let's look into it thoroughly and fix it, nobody is perfect, so that MMDA can better serve our people in) Metro Manila," Go said.
In a privilege speech at the House on Monday, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua called for the abolition of the MMDA as part of the national government's push to rightsize the bureaucracy, and for the Metro Manila Council -- composed of all the mayors in Metro Manila -- to take over its functions.
Chua claimed MMDA has been encroaching into the jurisdiction of Metro Manila’s local governments and duplicating the work of national agencies.
However, MMDA acting Chairperson Romando Artes cannot see any redundancy in the agency's functions, saying they are coordinating with other agencies in implementing projects.
Artes also noted that the MMDA was created by law, and thus can only be abolished by another law.
MMDA was created by Republic Act 7924 which was passed on March 1, 1995.
It is mandated to plan, supervise, regulate, monitor, coordinate or implement policies, programs and projects where appropriate, in conformity with the national government policies without prejudice to the autonomy of the local government units within the National Capital Region.
Share your thoughts with us
Related Articles

MPIC, QC break ground on Gabay Kalikasan Park
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), the country’s leading infrastructure investment company, broke ground on the Gabay Kalikasan Park, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Manage...

Miriam College High School Batch 1998 holds medical mission in QC
Miriam College High School Batch 1998 recently conducted a medical mission in Quezon City's Kabahagi Center for Children with Disabilities. The mission aimed to provide much-needed healthcare services to those who have limited access to medical a...

Bill proposes security monitoring inside prison cells
Senator Raffy Tulfo has filed a measure seeking to ensure the safety and security of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) by establishing security monitoring systems inside all jail facilities nationwide, according to a report by Philippine ...

9 of 10 Filipinos feel impact of climate change
A new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed that around 9 of 10 Filipino adults, or 93 percent, have personally experienced climate change impacts in the last three years, according to a report by Philippine News Agency. The SWS s...