The Metro Manila Council (MMC) approved yesterday a resolution requesting Congress to grant MMDA a franchise to operate a radio station

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) approved yesterday a resolution requesting Congress to grant the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) a franchise to operate a radio station as conduit for information exchange and government action between the latter and the people.

In its regular meeting yesterday presided over by MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and attended by Metro mayors and their duly authorized representatives, the MMC officially sanctioned the application for franchise of the agency to operate its MMDA Traffic AM Radio Station as an effective vehicle to deliver its Metro-wide services to the people and energize the execution of programs and projects.

Fernando said the radio station, which has been on air since late last year, is also very helpful as a channel of the MMDA to carry out its formidable tasks such as traffic and transport management, flood control, solid waste management, health and environmental improvement and public safety in Metro Manila.

The MMDA chief explained further that in the implementation of these functions by the MMDA under RA 7924, public information and education play through the radio station play a vital role to ensure the peoples’ cooperation and compliance to regulatory measures that have been instituted by the agency to address traffic congestion and environmental degradation concerns, and other risks due to natural and man-induced hazards.

“The radio station is unique in the sense that it is devoted mostly to traffic, non-commercial, and motorists and the general public would know first hand and on real time from our enforcers on the streets which roads are hassle-free and which ones will cause their blood pressure before they hie off to work, school or any destination,” he said.

The MMDA’s application for a franchise to operate the MMDA Traffic Radio went through rough sailing last week before the House committee on legislative franchise hearing where several lawmakers aired their misgivings that it might be used by Fernando for political purposes especially that the latter has publicly announced that he is running for President in 2010.

Deliberations on the MMDA’s application were deferred by the committee in the absence of an MMC approval of the same through an MMDA resolution.

The MMC-approved resolution, however, explicitly states that the communication facility will be utilized for information dissemination relative to the seven-pronged metro-wide services of the MMDA and shall not be used for political advertisement.

The MMDA had already invested in the equipment and transmitter facilities of the radio station and currently leasing the airing rights of the Banahaw Broadcasting Co. which is presently under the operational control of the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

The MMDA Traffic Radio is virtually a road show with anchor persons and enforcers familiarizing motorists on traffic situations, road conditions, courtesy and monitoring tips, and reminders for the convenience and safety of road users.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando mobilized operatives to investigate the rampant pilferage of electricity by residents and barangay officials tapping traffic signal lights

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday mobilized operatives of the agency’s traffic engineering and investigative units to various parts in Manila following reports of rampant pilferage of electricity by residents and barangay officials tapping traffic signal lights.

At the same time, Fernando asked the local government units (LGUs) and the Philippine National Police to assist the MMDA operatives in monitoring all traffic signalized intersections in the metropolis, particularly in Manila, where reports are rife that residents and even barangay officials have allegedly illegally tapped their electrical power connections on traffic signal lights devices.

The MMDA’s Security Intelligence and Investigation Office believed that pilferage of electricity is also rampant in Quiapo, Tondo and Sta.Mesa particularly in depressed areas.

Fernando sought the assistance of the LGUs and the PNP in the dismantling of illegally tapped electrical wires in barangays where based on information tipped off by some concerned residents to the MMDA, pilfers have reinstalled the same as soon as the operatives have left the place and at night time.

‘No amount of relentless monitoring on our part would put a stop to these illegal acts unless the LGUs help us follow through the operations,” he said.

Fernando took the move after discovering that the MMDA electric consumption bills for traffic signal lights has doubled at a time when the agency has strictly put in place energy cost-cutting measures since late last year.

He said pilferage losses arising from the reported illegal power connections would bleed the MMDA coffers dry if such criminal acts remain unabated.

He explained that it is not only the MMDA suffering from these losses but also the Metro LGUs whose yearly internal revenue contributions to the agency he said partly defray payment for electric consumption of all traffic lights in Metro Manila.

Last week, combined operatives of the MMDA’s Security Intelligence and Investigation Office (SIIO), Traffic Engineering Center and WPD Tactical Operation Center swooped down on Barangay 375 on Rizal Ave. and Aurora Blvd. in Manila where they stumbled upon rows of houses, sari-sari-stores and a barangay outpost whose electrical wires are hooked up on two traffic signal lights at the said intersection

They immediately cut off the illegal connections and replaced them with new lines, which according to SIIO chief Ely Pintang, are now tamper-proof because they were installed away from the barangay.

In a report to Fernando, SIIO head and Police Superintendent Ely Pintang said the pilfers had laid out their illegal electrical wires from the traffic signal lights to four sari-sari stores, shanties of ten families and to a barangay outpost across the street which is under the jurisdiction of a certain barangay captain Rolando Bohol.

The cable between the Meralco post and the service entrance of the traffic lights was re-installed in such a way that pilferage was not easily detected until we brought along electrical engineers with us, Pintang said in his report.

(MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday reported that P2.39 billion savings in fuel

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday reported that P2.39 billion savings in fuel consumption and personal time are expected to be generated every year as a result of the traffic scheme shift from signal control to U-turn scheme being implemented by the agency in major roadways in the metropolis.

Based on the actual monitoring, study and analysis conducted by the MMDA’s Traffic Engineering Center (TEC), Fernando said that since the traffic scheme modification from signal control to U-turn scheme or rotunda was implemented in 2005, the said total costs of fuel savings can be attributed to the marked increase in the average vehicular speed that exceeded the increase in fuel consumption due to the longer distance traveled by motorists via the 23 U-turn slots located in seven major roads in Metro Manila.

On fuel savings alone, P42.84 million per year has been generated from 2005 to 2008 on a normal U-turn on a road without widening and P51.45 million per year on a U-turn with widened road, he said

On the other hand, the total costs in personal time savings that would translate to the direct reduction in the take home pay of motorists, and indirect costs of lost opportunities and its equivalent amount in lost productivity may well reach a total of P2.33 billion covering the same period, the MMDA chief added.

Last week, the MMDA said travel time along the C-5 Kalayaan in the southern and eastern portions of the metropolis has improved with the opening of the elevated U-turn interchange more than two weeks ago.

Results of the travel time survey also conducted by the TEC said that traveling on Kalayaan Ave. and C-5 has increased by 90 per cent.

The U-turn or modified rotunda scheme is one of the MMDA’s traffic solutions to the traffic gridlock problem in various parts of Metro Manila. Unconventional as it is, the scheme is continuously being criticized by some sectors which have interpreted it as a waste of money on infrastructure, and a waste of fuel on the part of motorists who would travel a longer distance than in a traffic signal control scheme.

The agency’s detractors have likewise pointed to the perceived unsafe situation at the U-turn slot due to the presence of concrete barriers to maintain traffic direction and control.

On the contrary, TEC Director Ramon Ona said the U-turn scheme has its distinct benefits like its operational efficiency with respect to time and space.

“In a U-turn slot, vehicles utilize it all the time non-stop and all spaces in the roadway are being occupied with no gaps by vehicles negotiating the intersection,” he said.

Ona further explained that the situation can be better appreciated at night when a motorist could proceed continuously unlike in signalized intersections where vehicles would stop at red signal even when only a few or no vehicles are approaching the crossing street.

“Accidents usually occur in this situation because other motorists tend to ignore the signals,” he said.

In a related development, the Metropolitan Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) unit has reported a measly 0.13 percent or 84 accidents involving the hitting of barriers of the total number of 63,072 accidents recorded since last year.

MMARAS records also showed that 2,344 accidents had occurred at 11 signalized intersections along Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (Edsa) from January 2005 to July 2008 as compared to only 499 accidents that occurred at the 23 U-turn slots along the same corridor during the same period.

According to Ona, these records indicate that accidents at signalized intersections are more severe than at the U-turn slots as demonstrated by eight fatal accidents and 237 injured motorists at signalized intersections as against to only five and 43 injured at U-turn slots. (back to top)

Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday cautioned the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority ( MMDA ) Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday cautioned the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) against tearing down his posters saying that they don’t pose danger to lives and property compared to commercial billboards.

Fernando said the DPWH should instead focus their resources on commercial billboards that dot the metropolis particularly those that violated the provisions of the National Building Code.

“Wag nila gagawin yan (referring to the DPWH threat to remove his posters and the Pahayagan ng Bayan billboards). Unlike other billboards, they don’t pose danger to lives and property. They’re part of an intensified information and educational campaign of the MMDA to instill discipline among residents and restore order in the metropolis, a core component of the broader Metro Gwapo program towards social re-orientation of values,” Fernando said.

Aside from these, the official said the posters and the Pahayagan ng Bayan pylon do not obstruct the flow of people and traffic to be considered as hazard.

This as he challenged DPWH-National Building Code Development Office Director Emmanuel Cuntapay to just do his job and remove the commercial billboards found violating the law instead of the MMDA posters.

“Gawin mo muna ang trabaho mo d’yan sa giant billboards,” the MMDA chief said.

He said that the Pahayagan ng Bayan pylons were precisely put up upon the request of various government agencies for their respective advocacies.

“The Pahayagan ng Bayan or pylons along center islands were put up on the request of government agencies and GOs and NGOs to drum up their respective advocacies and info campaigns. They’re not put for commercial use and they provide space for government use,” the chairman said.

Fernando said the MMDA has been maligned by some sectors for advocating the rule of law and order in the metropolis but he added that they would not be cowed by such tactics.

“We have been battered left and right by some sectors who are quick to deride our well-meaning efforts to implement the law, particularly concerning roadway and sidewalk clearing operations, but we at the MMDA have the right to defend ourselves and clear our names. We have to inform everybody through these posters, pylons and Pahayagan ng Bayan. They are the most effective way to do it. They are all in the interest of the general public,” the MMDA chief stressed.

Earlier, the DPWH appealed to Fernando to voluntarily put down his streamers since these pose danger to motorists and pedestrians specifically during typhoons.

Cuntapay whose division is in charge of the campaign said they would let the posters provided that Fernando will remove his pictures from it.

The DPWH has already dismantled some 315 billboards in the metropolis, mostly located along EDSA who are found violating the Building Code since last month.

The campaign to remove illegal billboards and advertisement gained momentum after the 2006 onslaught of typhoon Milenyo when more than 40 such structures were torn down by heavy winds and rains. (back to top)

MMDA Won Four Legal Victories

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has won four legal victories in a row in its controversial campaign against informal settlers and illegal sidewalk vendors in the metropolis.

MMDA Legal Counsel Emmanuel De Castro lauded the court’s decision and said it only upheld their stand that the policies being implemented by the agency whether they are against informal settlers, sidewalk vendors or business establishments that encroached on sidewalk have legal basis being authorized by the MMDA Council.

“These court rulings only goes to show that despite the brickbats and criticism thrown our way, in the end what is right and legal will prevail,” De Castro said adding that with these developments, the MMDA will continue to pursue its mandate to make Metro Manila a more livable metropolis comparable with the rest of the world.

In the first case, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed for lack of probable cause the criminal and administrative complaint filed by a vendors association against MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando last Wednesday.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Bagong Silang Vendors Association Inc., whose commercial establishment located along the MIA/NAIA Access Road in Taguig was demolished by agency personnel last year.

The complainant averred that Fernando denied them any due process when he ordered the demolition and they were deprived of their source of income.

But the MMDA chief said they did not commit any illegal acts since the sidewalk clearing operation is covered by the authority of the agency under Republic Act7924 or the MMDA Charter. Moreover, Fernando said the MMDA Council has passed a resolution authorizing the agency to clear the sidewalks, streets, avenues and alleys and other public places of any illegal structures and obstruction.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez concurred with Fernando’s argument and said that there is “no probable cause to prosecute the respondent for violation of Section 3 of Republic Act 3019.

“But even granting for the sake of argument, that the operatives of the MMDA were the ones who indeed conducted such dismantling process, just the same, they can never be held liable for having violated the Constitution and other applicable laws,” Gutierrez said in an 11-page decision.

Moreover, the Ombudsman affirmed the authority of the MMDA to execute the policies and measures approved by the MMDA Council.

“In this light, the respondents merely acted in the lawful performance of their duties. Government officials are presumed to perform their functions with regularity and strong evidence is necessary to rebut this presumption,” the Ombudsman added.

In the second case, the Court of Appeals (CA) also dismissed the petition for certiorari filed by Solid Homes Inc (SHI) against the MMDA.

The case was borne of a complaint filed by SHI against the MMDA before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) when the latter constructed a pedestrian footway besides its lot along Epifanio delos Santos (Edsa) in San Juan, two years ago saying that the structure deprived it of the use of its front parking space thereby resulting to business losses.

The complainant also alleged that the MMDA failed to consult them prior to the start of the construction.

In his defense, Fernando through the Office of the Solicitor General argued that the structure did not encroach on SHI’s property.

The MMDA chief also said that the agency is authorized to undertake the construction and rehabilitation of the sidewalks along EDSA pursuant to its mandate under RA 7924.

The appellate court in its ruling sided with Fernando and affirmed the ruling issued last year by Pasig City regional trial court (RTC) Judge Emelia Fabros and said that the MMDA did not commit grave abuse of discretion as ascribed by the complainant.

“We hold that the trial court did not commit grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in denying the injunction prayed for,” said the seven-page decision penned by CA Associate Justice Magdangal De Leon.

In the two other cases, the Quezon City and the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court likewise junked the case filed by a group of informal settlers living along Araneta Avenue Extension, Brgy. Dona Imelda, Quezon City and the application for a temporary restraining order filed by the Philippine Union Realty Development Corporation and San Jose Lumber and Hardware Inc.

In the first case, the informal settlers asked the court to issue an injunction against the MMDA to prevent the agency from dismantling their shanties located under the Araneta extension bridge along the San Juan River.

But RTC judge Vivencio Baclig sided with the MMDA and said the “plaintiffs failed to demonstrate a clear entitlement to the issuance of a writ of injunction.”

“Obviously, the plaintiff filed this suit for injunction to prevent the demolition of their structures by the defendants. Thus, the issue to be resolved by the court is whether or not the plaintiffs have a right to stay in the subject premises. The court rules in the negative,” Baclig said in his three- page ruling.

Moreover, the court took the MMDA’s stand that the area occupied by the complainants is a property for public use, thus it is beyond the commerce of man.

“Since it is outside the commerce of man, it may not be appropriated by the plaintiffs for themselves,” the court added.

The informal settlers were just part of the more than 75, 000 squatter families living along public lots and areas classified as “danger zones” by the MMDA such as along riverbanks and canals that have to be relocated to safer place.

In the Mandaluyong case, Branch 214 Judge Edwin Sorongon likewise denied the motion for TRO filed by the plaintiff for lack of merit.

The case stemmed from a demolition conducted by the agency on structures located allegedly on a lot by the former. (back to top)

Bayani Warns of Population Explosion by 2025

Metro Manila Development Authority MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando today said the overall population of the Philippines will most likely grow to some 128 million by 2025 with the annual population growth rate hovering at slightly over two per cent and that hunger and starvation will be a major concern especially in the urban centers like Metro Manila unless the government and the religious sector reconcile its differences to forge a wholistic campaign to address the runaway growth of the population.

Fernando said there is no doubt the rapid surge in the country's population growth has put a pressure on the capacity of the government to deliver the minimum basic needs (MBNs) of the people but all the civil society sectors especially the religious sector must join the government in pursuing a comprehensive social and economic development program that can sustain itself over the long term to address the needs of the growing population.

“The future is now,” Fernando stressed, adding that whatever we do now will have an impact on the future of the Philippines as it would be grossly unfair for the Filipino people of the coming generation if the leaders of this country will fail to appreciate this problem on population which will definitely result in numerous socio-economic problems that will arise in the coming years.

He said the failure to address this problem on the correlation of population growth and the ability of the government as well as the private sector to deliver to the people their minimum basic needs will lead to a social revolution that will lead to retrogression amidst the fast-paced competitiveness in the global economic environment and this will put tremendous pressure on urbanized municipalities and major cities particularly in Metro Manila where squatting remains a problem.

Citing figures from a study made by the Issues and Advocacy Center, Bayani pointed out that the population of the Philippines, which now ranks as the ninth most populous country in Asia and the 14 th in the world, will grow to some 128 million by 2025 if the population growth rate will continue to stand at 2.4% annually.

Fernando who is seeking the nomination of the Lakas CMD to be the party’s standard bearer in the 2010 presidential elections said that there is an enormous and unabated increase in urban migration in the last 25 years resulting in a major shift in the balance between rural and urban populations.

This development, said Fernando, has greatly affected the quality of life both in the cities and the rural communities while the outward movement of Filipinos particularly heads of families to other countries has also put significant pressure on the integrity of the family and community life.

He stressed that the socio-economic imbalance caused by the rapid increase in the country’s population growth and the diminishing equal distribution of wealth would continue for the years to come unless all the sectors concerned in both the public and private sectors come to an agreement on the relationships between population, available and existing resources, environment and in the development of policies related to population growth in all levels of governance in both the public and private sector including the roles that family play to address the problem of the population.

At the same time, Fernando said there must be a doable balance between what the government can and must do and what the private sector especially the religious sector can contribute in addressing the problem of over-population and foremost among the areas that need to be addressed is the ongoing campaign to reduce graft and corruption to a minimum level if not totally eradicate this social disease.

He explained that even the Presidential Management Staff not too long ago admitted that corruption is still a problem seven years after EDSA 2. This must serve as a wake-up call as well as a challenge for every Filipino to either allow graft to continue destroying the fabric of social order and or take up arms to stamp out graft which has infested both the public and private sectors because the problem of graft and corruption, if allowed to pervade, will affect the capacity of the governing authorities to feed and address the needs of a growing population.

Fernando said the private sector and the Church itself must come out of the denial stage that corruption is limited to those in government stressing that graft is a two-way street and those from the private sector who are dealing with the different branches of government are also to blame for the unabated rise in the level of corruption in public service.

Graft is committed when bribe money is passed to facilitate the movement of paper work in government regulatory offices and or on a wider scale when bidding transactions for huge government projects are influenced in favor of a favored bidder and in both instances, Fernando said, there are bribe-givers and bribe-takers.

Every Filipino, said Fernando, must join in the campaign to stamp out graft and corruption and that everyone should all start from an assessment of their own selves. “We must come to grips with where we want to go from here. Do we want to live mediocre lives or do we want to progress to a level where we can compete with the rest of the world,” Bayani pointed out.

It is not enough that Filipinos are encouraged to be more industrious and persevering. What is needed is to provide every Filipino with the opportunity to reacquire his talents and skills. “Kailangan ay ibalik ang galing ng bawa’t Pilipino upang makaahon sa kanyang kinalalagyan,” Fernando said. (back to top)

BF Says Order and Discipline, Key to National Progress

BAGUIO CITY , July 18, 2008 --- Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday said here that Filipinos must look back to its past history and should exert every effort to revive what he termed as the values of order and discipline in order for the country to regain its position of strength and economic superiority in the Asian region.

In a dialogue with local officials of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) who are in this city for the Lakas CMD regional consultation relative to the planned merger between the Lakas and KAMPI and with the members of the local media, Fernando said the Philippine society must have a high respect for the country’s laws, statutes as well as rules and regulations if we are to aspire for global recognition and compete with other nations in the Asian hemisphere.

The scheduled 2010 national elections, according to Fernando, is crucial in that the nation as a whole can only succeed in crossing the threshold of poverty if the people will use their right of suffrage wisely adding that the people must also look closely at the qualifications of those who have expressed their intentions to run for president because the country cannot waste any more time as it now lags behind some of the countries that the Philippines used to dominate in the past.

He stressed that 2010 polls is doubly significant because it will determine whether Filipinos have already achieved political maturity and also because this is crucial to the country’s economic survival in the face of what he termed as an emerging borderless economy in the world market that is susceptible to pressures from within and from without.

Fernando said there is a pressing need for the people to once again have a high regard for law and order so that we can attract more investments that would create more jobs for our people pointing out that national discipline which we as a nation appear to have lost is the common denominator among all the developed countries in the world including those that are on their way to becoming developed nations.

He said the Filipino people will have the opportunity in 2010 to use their power to show the power brokers, the corrupt government officials and those who cheat in the elections that the time for change and to institute meaningful reforms has come by electing officials with a proven track record of performance and political will.

Fernando also explained that his decision to seek a higher office under the Lakas CMD banner is prompted by his desire to bring to the countryside what he has accomplished in Marikina City which is now being used by several communities around the world as their development model. This same development paradigm which is anchored on order and discipline is now being pursued in Metro Manila which, according to Fernando, will be transformed into a livable community or what he fondly describes as “Metro Gwapo” by 2010.

He said he is making himself available in 2010 from among whom the people can choose from because he believes that the Filipino people cannot afford to commit a mistake in choosing the next president considering that the 2010 polls will spell the survival of the country as the world starts to heat up from global trade competition and as nations fight for the available energy resources to fuel the demand for growth.

Fernando said the nation regained its democracy at EDSA in 1986 in one of the proudest moments in the country’s history and the time has come, he added, to make it work for everyone and not just for the privileged few pointing out that his decision to aspire for a higher office was reached after a thorough consultation with various multi-sectoral groups nationwide and that his intention is anchored on his belief that the overwhelming majority of the citizenry are decent, hard-working and law-abiding.

He said his only desire is to bring back hope, opportunity and peace to the lives of the average Filipino especially those who have less in life as he pointed out that he is prepared to put his own life on the line to give the Filipino people a government they can trust and an environment that would create the opportunities for Filipinos to become useful and productive citizens.

The country, he explained, needs a decisive, a no-nonsense president with a firm political will who can get things done and a leader who can lead by example and can live up to his oath of office under the Constitution. The people, he said, must look to somebody who can preserve and defend the Constitution; to execute its laws; to do justice to every man; and most importantly to consecrate himself to the service of the nation.

Fernando said he is committed to the rule of law and vowed to create an atmosphere where no one will ever make a travesty of existing laws and that he will also work to establish an atmosphere where everyone will be equal in the eyes of the law. In jest which drew laughter from the Lakas CMD members and the media, Fernando said that since he is the only one from the Lakas CMD who has manifested his intention to run for president he said he will move that the nominations be closed. (back to top)

Chairman Bayani Fernando stressed the agency intends to maintain law and order on the streets of the metropolis

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando stressed the agency intends to maintain law and order on the streets of the metropolis despite threats from critics of unfavorable circumstances in his presidential bid in the 2010 national elections.

Earlier, Fernando came out in the open and expressed his intention to run for the presidency under the administration party in the next elections.

The MMDA chief warned the public against violating existing laws under the mandate of the agency saying he will not be cowed nor intimidated by threats that jeopardize the safety of the society.

“Mas marami naman siguro ang natutuwa kaysa nagrereklamo kung pinatutupad ng ahensiya ang batas. Walang personalan ito dapat lamang na parusahan ang sinumang lalabag sa batas,’’ Fernando noted.

He declared that the MMDA has always been non-partisan and had enforced traffic rules and its other assigned tasks equally to violators regardless of creed, religious beliefs, race, financial status or sexual preferences.

“Ang masama ay kung may kinikilingan kami ditto. Kung sinasamsam naming ang paninda ng sidewalk vendor dapat sana mapansin ng publiko na iniimpound din naming ang mga colorum na sasakyan na pagmamayari ng mayayaman. Hindi ito question na kung sino ang mahirap o sino ang mayaman ang tanong ditto sino ba ang tama at nasa lugar,’’ Fernando noted.

He stood pat and remained firm in apprehending traffic violators, demolishing illegal structures and running after illegal vendors insisting that enforcing the law is egalitarian or classless with no time frame.

At the same time, MMDA Traffic Executive Director Angelito Vergel de Dios asked the agency’s traffic personnel to always remain courteous and to state clearly the traffic violation committed by the motorists when flagging down errant motorists.

De Dios called on the public to reports the abusive acts of the MMDA enforcers vowing to remove them from the service should the agency find them guilty as charged.

He decried reports of a shortage of traffic personnel saying the MMDA continuously trains and accepts qualified applicants in its rank in replacement of the sacked traffic crew.

“The MMDA has always believed that there is no room for corrupt personnel in the MMDA. Nobody in the government service is indispensable,’’ De Dios added.

Fernando emphasized that the program against extortionists and other unscrupulous men is not limited to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local government units (LGU) but also to officials in the government including the MMDA.

The MMDA chief said that those apprehended enforcement personnel from various groups including those from the MMDA are to be charged with robbery and extortion in the court of law.

Meanwhile, Fernando has joined hands with the PNP in supporting the “no plate no travel’’ policy for all motorists as deterrent to criminality and lawlessness.

He reminded the public that this policy is an old law jointly implemented by the PNP, MMDA, Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Chapter 2 Article 111 Section 18 RA 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of June 20, 1964 states that no motor vehicle shall be used or operated on or upon any public highway of the Philippines unless the same is properly registered for the current year.

Recently the PNP emphasized that lawmen including those from their ranks or other law enforcement agencies are not exempted from the “no plate no travel’’ policy.

The PNP insisted that the law applies to all or to none at all warning all personnel of the law enforcement agencies of the unfavorable consequences should they continue to defy the lawful order. (back to top)

"I am not resigning" Fernando said

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday defended his performance in his post and said he is not resigning amid criticisms regarding last Wednesday flash-flooding in some areas in Metro Manila.

“I am not resigning,” Fernando said when asked to comment on Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez’ call for him to vacate his post for allegedly failing to control floodings in the metropolis.

Golez also called on the House Committee on Metro Manila to investigate the multi-billion-peso flood control projects of the MMDA which allegedly failed to curb floods.

The Paranaque solon also said Fernando failed to make good on his earlier pledge to curb floodings this year.

But Fernando said Golez should back up his accusation with hard data saying that the lawmaker should do his homework when he said the MMDA has a billion peso budget for flood control.

“What multi-billion peso funds is he talking about? Give us the data,” Fernando challenged Golez even as he denied making any promise to turn Metro Manila into a flood-free zone this year.

The MMDA chief said the agency has an allocation only of P200 million to build and operate pumping stations, which are very crucial to the flood-control campaign, and for the salaries of some 1, 000 flood-control personnel.

He likewise said he did not make any promise to turn the metropolis into a flood-free zone this year adding what he said was that flooding would be greatly reduced compared to the previous years.

“I never said by 2008 Metro Manila will be flood-free. What I said is that floods will be reduced because of our continuous and relentless efforts to dredge all drainage systems and waterways of garbage and relocate informal settlers,” Fernando added.

Citing figures from the MMDA Flood Control and Sewerage Office, Fernando said the agency has made great strides in flood-control efforts since 2002 when flood control programs and sewerage management were turned over from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Previously, there had been massive areas in Metro Manila that used to be under water during heavy downpour, with 7,262 hectares of land flooded in 2003. It was, however, cut down to just 6,700 hectares in the following year.

         Before the implementation of flood control programs have been given to the MMDA, a total of 13,100 hectares, equivalent to five cities had been flood- prone.

         Also because of the continuous implementation of such programs, Fernando said many streets and roads in Metro Manila which have been usually impassable during heavy rains are now accessible to most vehicles.

         From 2002 to 2005, with a 40 mm/hr of rainfall volume, about two to three kilometers of roads were not passable but in the succeeding years, these areas have been passable to motor vehicles.

         For the same period, more or less 20 kilometers of road had been rendered inaccessible with 60 mm/hr of rainfall intensity, compared to a kilometer of impassable stretch of road in 2005 and 2006 with the same volume of rainfall.

         With a 100 mm/hr of rainfall in 2003 and 2004, some 30 to 40 kilometers had been impassable, which have been reduced to only 6 to 8 kilometers of inaccessible roads in 2005 and 2007. 

The MMDA chief said this would only get better in the coming days as they expect the completion of the Abucay pumping station which would help lessen flooding in Manila, particularly the low-lying areas in Sampaloc, España and Dapitan.

Also, the agency is awaiting the completion of similar projects in the CAMANAVA ( Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) area being undertaken by the DPWH.

Once completed, the infrastructures (pumping stations, floodgates and dikes), which form part of the P5 billion CAMANAVA Flood Control and Mega-Dike Project will be turn-over to the MMDA.

Aside from these physical improvements, Fernando said the agency has also been conducting a year-round clean-up of waterways, canals and gutters as part of their anti-flood control efforts.

An i nformation campaign has also been mounted with the help of local government units and non-government organizations especially for those who are living near waterways and other areas classified as “danger-zones” or flood-prone.

Fernando said informal settlers or “squatters” living near waterways is the major culprit that aggravates flooding due to their lack of discipline when it comes to garbage disposal.

“Flooding still occur though not as bad as compared to the past due to the continued stay of informal settlers near waterways particularly along the San Juan river,” he said adding that dredging operations and removal of shanties and other obstacles along the river’s shoreline is continuing.

Earlier, the MMDA said inspection conducted after last Wednesday’s flooding showed that gutters and drainage system in the affected areas were clogged with garbage and other debris that residents throw haphazardly.

The MMDA has bared plans to relocate some 75, 000 informal settler families living near waterways outside of Metro Manila in cooperation with the National Housing Authority. (back to top)

Entries of NAIA TErminal 3 Landmark Rotundas Nationwide Design Competition

One hundred forty five individual entries from here and abroad are vying to win the landmark contest launched by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in cooperation with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) for the design of the two recently-completed monumental rotundas at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 3.

MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando said entries came not only from Metro Manila but also from the provinces and even from the Filipino communities in Taiwan, California and Singapore.

“The entries showcase the best artworks that encapsulate the Filipino’s rich cultural tradition and profound sense of affinity with the global community,” Fernando said.

Dubbed the NAIA Terminal 3 Landmark Rotundas Nationwide Design Contest, the contest was launched last May with the aim of looking for the best artistic and architectural design for the rotundas along Andrews Avenue in Pasay city leading to the country’s premiere airport.

The MMDA chairman said the contest will showcase Metro Manila as the window of the country to the world and will enhance the image of NAIA to be at par with similar facilities worldwide.

“This contest provides a rare opportunity for Metro Manila to showcase its positive attributes as well as promote the country as a favorable area for trade and tourism,” Fernando added.

This as MMDA officials led by Fernando are set to met with the board of jurors today led by former Tourism secretary and Heritage Conservation Society president Gemma Cruz-Araneta.

Aside from Cruz-Araneta, the other members of the board of jurors are NAIA General Manager Alfonso Cusi, Architect Paul Alcazaren, president of the Paul Gonzalez Alcazaren Design, Architects Ramon Orlina, Dolly Perez, Horacio Dimanlig, National Artist Napoleon Abueva and the MMDA chairman himself.

The meeting is set to tackle and evaluate all the entries whose deadline for submission lapsed the other day.

Final evaluation and judging of the finalists will be on August 21 while the announcement of the winners will be on August 24 at the agency’s weekly radio program at radio station DZBB.

Judging of the winning entries will be based upon over-all impact, relevance to the theme, creativity, originality and cost-effectiveness.

The announcement of the winners will be on August 24 during the agency’s weekly radio program over station DZBB.

Winners will receive a total of P2 million in cash prizes for two categories namely, one for “Circulo del Mundo” or the big rotunda and another for the “Maligayang Pagdating” or smaller rotunda.

Prizes for each category include P500, 000 and plaque for the first prize, P300, 000 for the second prize, P200, 000 for the third, P75, 000 for the fourth, P25, 000 for the fifth and five consolation prizes of P10, 000 for each category.

The construction of the rotundas is an offshoot to President Gloria Mcapagal-Arroyo’s directive to the MMDA and the Manila International Airport Authority to undertake physical improvement projects within the immediate vicinity of the international airport.

This is part of the multi-billion peso “Metro Gwapo” project of the MMDA designed to make Metro Manila a “more vibrant and livable” city by 2010. (back to top)

"Yellow Lane" policy at major thoroughfares in the metropolis

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday warned drivers of private vehicles of the penalties that await them if they continue disregarding the agency’s “yellow lane” policy at major thoroughfares in the metropolis

Citing figures from the agency’s Traffic Enforcement Unit, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando disclosed that they have recorded 2, 000 violations of private vehicle owners of the policy, particularly at Epifanio De Los Santos (EDSA), since the last week of June.

On a daily basis, private vehicle owners commit some 101 violations daily of the policy.

“These figures are the result of our strict implementation of traffic rules and regulation in our roadways and we will continue our crackdown against erring drivers if they insist on violating our regulations,” Fernando said.

The 24-kilometer long EDSA is the prime artery of the metropolis. Some 3, 500 passenger buses use the roadway on a daily basis.

On any given day, 1.2 million public and private vehicles pass Edsa.

He stressed that the MMDA will continue its campaign against erring private vehicle drivers even as he reminded them that the yellow lane is intended only for the use of public utility vehicles (PUV).

“I am appealing to private vehicle drivers to stay away from the yellow lane. This is intended only for public utility vehicles. If only they will follow the policy, we are assured of faster movement of people, goods and vehicles,” Fernando said.

Violators are fined P150 for the first and second offense and a possible confiscation and revocation of their driver’s license in succeeding violations.

Under the policy, the MMDA has designated three lanes, two lanes for the exclusive use of buses plying Metro Manila and a single lane for provincial buses while the remaining lanes are intended for private vehicles.

The MMDA has also designated loading and unloading stations at strategic points along EDSA and other major thoroughfares where buses can pick up and unload passengers.

Fernando said the policy ensure faster movement of vehicle and less traffic congestion especially during rush hours.

The intensified campaign against the yellow lane violators is part of the MMDA”s final preparation for the full implementation of the enhanced Organized Bus Route (OBR) next month.

Under the OBR, buses are required to line up in various terminals put up by the MMDA in different areas in the metropolis. They will be dispatched depending on the number of commuters on the road.          

Each terminal and loading bays are equipped with tracking device and cameras that will monitor every bus operating in Metro Manila. The buses themselves are fitted with Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) or “micro-chips.”

The system will be complemented by the installation of traffic surveillance cameras, 56 of them initially according to the MMDA, is part of the OBR.           

The agency said it plans to install a total of 200 wireless traffic cameras along selected intersections of the 24-kilometer long EDSA, the prime artery in Metro Manila.            

The surveillance cameras are linked to the MMDA's communications and control center where its personnel can monitor the entire traffic situation on EDSA and other major roads on a 24-hour basis.          

Dubbed the “Road Safety Surveillance System and Wireless Communications Backbone”, the cameras will be initially installed on key intersection of EDSA, Macapagal Boulevard, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay Road, Ayala Avenue, Orense Street in Makati, Ortigas Avenue, Santolan Road, Aurora Boulevard, Timog and East Avenue, Quezon and North Avenue, Roosevelt and Congressional Avenue, Balintawak, Rizal Avenue, Elliptical Road, Philcoa and Kalayaan and Visayas Avenues.         

Fernando said the cameras would also help MMDA determine traffic build-ups, and the needed number of passenger buses to be deployed on EDSA and other major thoroughfares. (back to top)

The University Belt and its sorroundings are now alive

The University Belt in Manila used to be wanting in cleanliness and order.

Street hawkers and their makeshift stalls, dilapidated houses and business establishments, sidewalk blockades and other road impediments were eyesores, particularly from Mendiola, Legarda, Claro M. Recto Ave. up to Morayta streets.

Gone are these sights today following an intensive sidewalk and roadway clearing operations conducted by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) led by team leader and executive officer Edgardo Franco early last month on orders by Chairman Bayani Fernando.

“The University Belt and its surroundings are now alive,” Fernando proudly declared.

Today, students walk the wide sidewalks and streets that have been cleared of all forms of obstruction, including sidewalk vendors who were forced to hawk their wares elsewhere.

Walls and beams, even the overhead concrete belly on the sidewalk, have been spruced up and painted pink, blue and white.

Houses and business establishments mostly selling second-hand books and foodstuff were refurbished and their protruded signages and other encroachments on government property line were moved back.

MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno said that even the barangay hall encroaching on the sidewalk along Recto was removed with no resistance at all from the affected parties because they saw for themselves the dramatic improvement of the place.

The roadway and sidewalk clearing teams are currently at the Manila City Jail area along Quezon Blvd. undertaking similar operations on the request of residents and the barangay chairman in the area.

From Manila City Jail, Nacianceno said the teams will proceed to the second phase of the clearing operations covering the other surrounding areas of Morayta, Recto and Quezon Blvd.

Second phase of clearing operations include the bundling up of dangled power lines, sidewalk and roadway repairs after which the said three areas will undertake a total facelift, he said. (back to top)

MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno said yesterday there is no pressing need for the agency to lift the number coding traffic scheme in Metero Manila

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Robert Nacianceno said yesterday there is no pressing need for the agency to lift the number coding traffic scheme in Metro Manila because there is no significant decrease yet in vehicle volume on the road despite rising fuel prices.

Nacianceno said that until the MMDA comes up with a clear basis for it to lift the number coding system, the scheme stays.

“ If we were to base the data from a previous report of the Department of Energy that the number of cars used in Metro Manila went down by 10 percent in June, this would not justify the lifting of the scheme because at least a 20 percent decrease in vehicle volume count would surely ease traffic and warrant the lifting of the same,” he said.

The MMDA officials was reacting to a statement attributed to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Sergio Ortiz-Luis that with the dwindling number of vehicles on the road due to the high cost of fuel, there may be no more need for the said scheme.

“We have yet to see the premises of Mr Luis’ proposal justifying the same before we can take our next move,” he said.

On the other hand, Nacianceno said Luis” proposal is being studied by the MMDA vis-à-vis the recommendation of operators of public utility vehicles that the agency should continue to strictly enforce the number coding scheme without which, they said, would not assure them enough passenger load.

He said leaders of various jeepney and city bus groups have advised the MMDA not to suspend the enforcement of the scheme because they will have more competitors in public transport to contend with once the scheme is lifted.

“ Ngayon pa lang hirap na sila sa taas ng presyo ng krudo at laging hindi puno ng pasahero ang kanilang sasakyan, what more if we lift the number coding system,” Nacianceno said.

Nacianceno disclosed that teams from MMDA’s traffic engineering center are currently conducting a survey on the vehicle volume count along Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (Edsa), C-5 and other major roads as compared to last year’s count before last January when diesel and gasoline prices started to increase.

The ongoing survey will definitely give us a more accurate count on the number of vehicles on the road after the series of gas price hikes since last January based on gathering the average count on more samples, he said.

Initial findings of the survey showed a negligible three percent decrease in vehicles on Edsa on the first week of July this year, while C-5 had registered a more than five percent decrease so far.

These results are only partial and inconclusive until the survey is completed in two or more weeks,” Nacianceno explained. (back to top)

Another 100-man contingent of the MMDA has arrived in Iloilo City to hel rehabilitate Panay Island Cities and provinces devastated by typhoon "Frank" recently.

Another 100-man contingent of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) has arrived in Iloilo City to help rehabilitate Panay Island cities and provinces devastated by typhoon “Frank” recently.

The contingent, with 12 drainage-clearing vehicles and other heavy equipment in tow, has started declogging inlets and drainage systems of roads leading to the Iloilo Domestic Airport which are all choked up with silt and debris, according to team leader and MMDA Traffic Enforcement Unit chief Roberto Esquivel.

Esquivel said the team, composed of flood control and sidewalk clearing operations personnel belonging to the other half of the MMDA Mercy Mission, have started to hose down and dredge street drainage systems of thick mud and garbage left by rampaging floodwaters that overflowed from rivers and creeks around the city at the height of typhoon Frank’s fury last June 22.

The first 300-man contingent of the mission is currently in Kalibo, Aklan conducting massive clearing and flood control operations at Kalibo’s poblacion where roads have been rendered impassable to motor vehicles due to heaps of silt, felled trees, broken twigs and other debris that blocked them.

The same Kalibo Mission is also busy repairing damaged roads and houses made of light construction materials, restoring toppled lamp posts and bundling up dangling power lines and dredging esteros and creeks.

Esquivel said it would take the Iloilo mission about 15 to 30 days to complete the rehabilitation of the city because all of the streets’ drainage systems are virtually clogged necessitating extensive work on the part of the MMDA relief team.

Likewise, he said the MMDA is presently coordinating with local officials concerned on the need to conduct subsequent sidewalk clearing operations in the city because vendors and business establishments have encroached on the sidewalks whereby inlets and drainage systems are situated.

“We will have to ask the vendors and owners of these business establishments to move back and observe the boundary markers separating government and private property lines before we can fully dredge the city’s drainage systems,” Esquivel said.

President Arroyo has directed the MMDA to lend its flood control and clearing expertise to Panay Island provinces hit hardest by typhoon Frank during the emergency meeting called by the National Disaster Coordinating Council recently.

The President said that since Metro Manila was not badly damaged as those in the Visayas, she deemed it wise to bring the MMDA’s emergency manpower resources and logistics across the country where our countrymen are suffering greatly. (back to top)

MMDA yesterday disclosed that the Makati City government owes the agency p594 million

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday disclosed that the Makati City government owes the agency P594 million in arrears with its monthly contribution to the former for its operational expenses, particularly for the metropolis’ garbage disposal spending.

MMDA Assistant General Manager Edenison Fainsan confided that the city government is behindhand in payment of its contributions to the MMDA’s internal revenue allotment (IRA) following reports that it was demanding a return of the said remittances even if the MMDA has been granted a 15- to 30- day temporary permit to dumping rights at the 19-hectare Rodriguez Sanitary Landfill.

“ What money are they asking us to return to them when they owe us that much over the years since the inception of the MMDA?” asked Fainsan.

Fainsan said that based on the most recent report of the Commission on Audit, Makati has been remiss in its remittances to the MMDA”s IRA for quite sometime now and has incurred P594 million in arrears.

The MMDA Charter or RA 7924 mandates all local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila to remit 5 per cent of their total annual gross revenues of the preceding year to the MMDA’s IRA.

The contributions are being remitted monthly to the MMDA by the LGUs on or before the 20 th day of each month.

In the case of Makati, its mandatory contribution amounts to P235 million per annum, Fainsan said.

“ We have kept mum on the IRA matter until the city government brought up to the media demanding a return of their money,” he lamented.

Makati City Vice mayor Ernesto Mercado had called on the MMDA to return the city’s contributions so that the city government can just take care of its own waste management disposal responsibilities.

He said the closure of the landfill in Rodriguez for Metro Manila trash is the fault of the MMDA since the latter failed to pay its obligations to the landfill operators despite the availability of funds.

or his part, MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno dispelled claims of an impending garbage crisis saying “that never was a serious problem because even with the short-lived closure of the landfill before, the 1 6 cities and lone municipality have four other dumpsites to use.” (back to top)

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to help rehabilitate cities and towns devastated by Typhoon Frank at Kalibo, Aklan

A 300-man contingent of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), with heavy equipment in tow, has arrived in Kalibo, Aklan to help rehabilitate cities and towns devastated by Typhoon Frank and return them to normalcy.

The contingent, composed of the agency’s flood control and sidewalk clearing personnel who form part of President Arroyo’s Mercy Mission to the Panay Island provinces, brought along 27 trucks and heavy equipment such as payloaders, drainage-clearing vehicles, cranes, generators, water tankers, manlifters, backhoes and chainsaws to facilitate the clearing of roads and passageways drainage systems and inlets, including waterways, that were choked up with silt and debris.

Another contingent, composed of 99 more personnel and 12 equipment and trucks, is set to leave Metro Manila shortly for Panay to extent prompt assistance to Iloilo City which is still reeling from the wide swath of destruction wrought by the typhoon recently, according to MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.

Upon reaching Kalibo Friday morning after a long journey from Metro Manila last Wednesday, the contingent immediately buckled down to work and helped local officials and the town folk hauled away thick mud, felled trees and lamp posts, broken twigs and other debris blocking the poblacion’s major and secondary roads.

Another team of MMDA electricians, carpenters, masons and kamineros repaired damaged roads and houses, restored toppled lamp posts and bundled up dangled power lines and dredged esteros and creeks.

Broken traffic signal lights, directional signs and other street furniture were also repaired and replaced with new ones by the crew who also brought along with them some housing materials like GI sheets and wood panels to refurbish damaged houses made of light construction materials.

Team leader and MMDA Flood Control chief Baltazar Melgar said repairs and clearing operations would take at least a week before the emergency response crew could set sail to Iloilo.

The President, through a teleconference, directed the MMDA to lend its clearing and flood control expertise to the island’s provinces hit hardest by typhoon Frank during last Saturday’s emergency meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) held at the Department of National Defense.

Fernando quoted the President as saying that because Metro Manila, despite widespread flooding, was not as badly damaged by the storm, it would be better to bring the agency’s manpower resources and logistics to provinces where our countrymen were suffering greatly.

Meanwhile, a team of MMDA flood control personnel were dispatched yesterday to Balagtas, Bulacan to clear the town’s road inlets and drainage systems of silt and debris.

Balagtas Mayor Romy Castro sought the assistance of the MMDA because three of the town’s barangays, namely Burol, Wawa and Panginay, have remained flooded since last Saturday due to clogged inlets and drainage systems.

At the strike of dawn yesterday, the team, with vacuum pumps, water tankers and other flood control equipment in tow, immediately dredged the road inlets of thick mud and garbage,

Also yesterday, Fernando dispatched six truckloads of relief goods consisting of construction materials like Ficen boards or plywoods and screws to three towns of Pangasinan to help affected families whose houses were destroyed at the height of the typhoon.

Initially, the materials will benefit the towns of Infanta, Lingayen and San Fabian. The MMDA is expected to donate 7,000 more pieces of Ficen boards by next week to help rebuild the homes of displaced families in 14 other towns of Pangasinan. (back to top)

Assistance to affected families in provinces across the country that were hardest hit by Typhooon Frank

President Arroyo yesterday ordered the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to extend prompt assistance to affected families in provinces across the country that were hardest hit by typhoon “Frank” over the weekend by deploying all its men and heavy equipment to clear the streets, drainage systems and waterways of debris and garbage, according to MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.

Fernando said the agency is now coordinating with the National Disaster Coordinating Center (NDCC) and local officials of the provinces of Iloilo, Mindoro, Leyte, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas and Bulacan where MMDA rescue, flood control and sidewalk personnel, with trucks and heavy equipment in tow, are most needed for massive clearing operations and are set to be dispatched shortly.

The President, through a teleconference, reportedly issued the order to Fernando to extend the MMDA’s flood control and clearing expertise to the affected provinces during last Sunday’s meeting of the NDCC held at the Department of National Defense.

Fernando quoted the President to have said that because Metro Manila, despite widespread flooding, was not badly hit by the storm, it would be better to bring the agency’s manpower resources and logistics to areas where our countrymen are suffering greatly.

As of press time yesterday, the MMDA has put together its rock drillers, backhoes, concrete breakers, compressors, light trucks, generator sets, manlifters and chain saws ready to take off to the said provinces at a moment’s notice from the NDCC and concerned local chief executives.

As the storm surged over Metro Manila last Sunday morning, the Chairman, together with some MMDA officials and a sidewalk clearing team, pushed through with their routine inspection and went around town where they monitored flooded areas, checked drainage systems, hauled away debris and garbage and checked the rising water level along rivers, creeks and other waterways.

During the inspection, Fernando noted that Roxas District in Quezon City and San Juan partially submerged in water due to the swelling of the rivers and tributaries around them.

In the same vein, MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno said that it was high tide at the height of the storm, hence, heavy flooding was noted in the coastal areas of the metropolis because of the heavy surge of water from the bay area to inland.

As the situation began to normalize in Metro Manila at the aftermath of the storm yesterday morning, MMDA street sweepers, landscape personnel and sidewalk clearing teams moved about removing garbage, broken twigs and debris strewn on major and secondary roads of the capital. (back to top)

Amnesty for erring drivers and operators of provincial buses

Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday announced the grant of amnesty for errant drivers and operators of provincial buses with multiple unpaid traffic fines to settle their obligations with the agency.

Fernando gave erring drivers and operators of provincial buses a 15-day period starting yesterday (June 17) until July 2, 2008 to pay only the single and lowest fine of P150 they had incurred way back in 1995 to June 15, 2008.

He granted the amnesty on the request of the officers and members of the Provincial Bus Operators Associations of the Philippines (PBOAP) and the Bataan Transit Co during a dialogue held yesterday at the MMDA headquarters in Makati City.

PBOAP President Homer Mercado and Bataan Transit Legal Officer Aida Inciong have jointly appealed to the MMDA that their apprehended provincial drivers be granted the similar amnesty that was extended to city bus drivers last month.

A total of 7,284 jeepney and bus drivers who had incurred a total of 127,420 traffic violation records have availed of the previous amnesty which ended last May 30.

Fernando, however, told the bus operators that after the lapse of the amnesty period, the MMDA is poised to crack the whip against their drivers who would continue to ignore paying their traffic citation tickets on time.

“These recalcitrant drivers have no more business plying their trade You can no longer consign your bus units to their care because if we catch them anew repeatedly violating traffic laws, we will pluck them out of the vehicle, confiscate, suspend or revoke their drivers’ licenses, and impound the buses,” he warned the operators.

The chairman said only moving violations ranging from obstruction, illegal parking to yellow lane infractions are covered under the amnesty program. Administrative violations like colorum and out-of-line malpractices, which penalize a P6,000 fine and impounding of the vehicle, are not covered under the same program.

Also during the meeting, Fernando bared his plans to install provincial buses with micro-chips in order to monitor and weed out colorum and out-of-line units, the arch rivals of legitimate buses in business.

He likewise disclosed that the MMDA will soon put up separate loading and loading stations and emergency bays for provincial buses along Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) to better ease traffic on the main highway and segregate them from PUVs and city buses in the yellow lane.

Separate loading and unloading stations for provincial buses, especially those with small terminals and cannot afford to cram enough passenger load, will ensure better revenues for both the operators and drivers, Fernando said.

he proposed location of loading and loading stations for provincial buses along Edsa are on North Ave. before the MRT station, Quezon Ave., East Ave., Main Ave., Boni Serrano Ave., all in Quezon City, and Ortigas Ave. in Mandaluyong. (back to top)

Troop formation program dubbed as MMDA’s “Balik Eskwela

Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will troop the line today (June 1) of some 3,000 agency personnel that will be deployed to major and secondary roads of Metro Manila to ensure an orderly flow of traffic when classes open on June 9.

 A troop formation program dubbed as MMDA’s “Balik Eskwela, Ang Paghahanda,” will be held today at 7 a.m. at White Plains corner Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (Edsa) in Quezon City where Fernando will walk through the line of field personnel composed of traffic enforcers, laborers and street sweepers, with their trucks and heavy equipment in tow, who will man traffic, clear sidewalks of all forms of obstruction and monitor and de-clog flood-prone areas and drainage systems in all roads and intersections in the metropolis as the agency’s share in the “Oplan Balik Eskwela” of the Department of Education.

 Fernando said the personnel will be fielded to all streets leading to school zones where he said traffic volume is expected to surge by 40 percent because some two million students are going back to school.

 He, however, expressed confidence that the MMDA can cope very well with traffic and flood –related problems that may arise during the school opening considering the traffic management expertise of agency personnel and various traffic engineering and flood control programs that have been instituted by the agency.

 “Our combined traffic enforcement and traffic engineering programs and projects, including flood mitigating measures, have been put in place the whole year round to ensure lesser traffic and flooding problems in Metro Manila,” the MMDA chief said noting that he has given marching orders to enforcers to see to it traffic rules are enforced and obeyed by motorists and commuters to the letter.

 The problem on colorum and out-of-line operatons of drivers and operators of public utility vehicles who engage in trip-cutting and other driving malpractices have been arrested with the impounding of these illegal vehicles by our men who never ceased tracking them down, he added.

 He said the areas of concentration of the MMDA workforce include perennial traffic-prone sites such as University Belt in Manila, Ortigas Ave., Greenhills in San Juan and Katipunan Ave. in Quezon City.

 The chairman said more traffic enforcers will be deployed to Ortigas Ave. within the vicinity of La Salle Greenhills to minimize the traffic build-up in the area when vehicles start fetching students to and from the said school.

 The MMDA had proposed to La Salle authorities the setting up of drop-off points for school bus services in strategic areas along Ortigas Ave. Parents of the school children had reportedly turned down the proposal for personal security reasons.

 At the same time, he said at least 50 enforcers will man traffic along the entire stretch of Katipunan Ave. where monstrous traffic jams are anticipated because the road is sandwiched by the campuses of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College.

 MMDA records showed some 15,000 vehicles ferry 10,000 pupils in Katipunan Ave. daily.

 The same drop-off point proposal had been floated by the agency to the said school authorities but to no avail. School heads remained mum on the agency’s suggestion, according to Fernando. (back to top)

“Kalyeng Maayos” project to ease traffic

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Complex will soon undergo a massive facelift to prop up the image of Metro Manila, being the country’s showcase window, as a haven for tourism, trade and investment.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), together with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Ayala Properties, will jointly undertake the physical improvement of the NAIA complex to promote the country as a destination for leisure and business, according to MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.

“This initiative is in support of the government’s thrust to give the premiere gateway to our country a world-class character,” Fernando said.

In a meeting held yesterday at the MMDA headquarters, MIAA General Manager Alfonso Cusi said the three participating agencies has come up with a unified design that will give identity to the whole airport area consistent with international standards.

“We will provide a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and a warm farewell for those leaving the country,” Cusi said.

Under the projected development plan, hundreds of squatter families occupying the six roads within the vicinity of the complex will initially be removed and relocated to vacant lots within the periphery of the complex where they can avail of the government’s socialized housing program.

The project will cover six roads, namely; MIA Road, NAIA Road, Domestic Road, Airport Road, Tramo and Andrews Ave. which will all be cleared of eyesores and visual blights like tangled utility wires and other dilapidated buildings and other structures.

It also includes the construction of a bridge that would connect the complex areas to Quirino Ave. repair and widening of uneven and narrow sidewalks, utility wires will be buried underground and high-mast lamp posts will light up all sidewalks.

During the meeting, the MMDA presented to Cusi and representatives of Ayala Properties several perspectives of massive landscaping that will be undertaken on the center islands and other vacant sites, sidewalks with walls and billboards and see-through fences around the complex.

The MMDA is also a co-partner of the MIAA and the Pasay city government in the “Kalyeng Maayos” project to ease traffic to and from the NAIA complex a new traffic scheme wherein a 24-hour ban on cargo trucks, buses and tricycles will be enforced soon at Domestic Road and Andrews Ave.

The proposed NAIA development plan is an offshoot to an earlier directive of President Arroyo to the MMDA, MIAA and other relevant agencies to undertake physical improvements in the area and address other concerns of all stakeholders at the premier gateway. (back to top)

NAIA Terminal 3 Landmark Rotundas Nationwide Design Competiton

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is looking for artistic and architectural designs that will identify the two recently completed monumental rotundas at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 3 along Andrews Ave. in Pasay City as outstanding landmarks of Metro Manila.

On Thursday, (May 22), MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, together with officials of the Manila International Airport Authority, will launch jointly the NAIA Terminal 3 Landmark Rotundas Nationwide Design Contest, a perfect opportunity for noted and eminent landscape designers and artist vying to develop the two rotundas as major pieces of architectural and artistic monuments.

Fernando said the best artworks that can capsulate on the theme extolling the Filipino’s rich cultural traditions and profound sense of affinity with the global community, among other things, will romp away with a total of P2 Million in cash prizes at stake in the design tilt.

“Aside from the winners, we will commend all the finalists on their amazing skill and unique vision that will go into creating the extraordinary pieces of landmark rotundas-inspired art,” he said.

The chairman also said that the design contest will bring manifold benefits to Metro Manila as the country’s showcase window and will enhance the image of NAIA to be a par with other similar facilities worldwide.

“This is a rare opportunity for Metro Manila to showcase its positive attributes as well as promote the country as a favorable area for trade and tourism,” he said.

The construction of the rotundas is an offshoot to President Arroyo’s directive to the MMDA and the MIAA to undertake physical improvement projects within the immediate vicinity of the NAIA.

Winners will have their art masterpiece seen on the landmark rotundas by thousands of people on the “Circulo del Mundo” or the big rotunda and another for the “Maligayang Pagdating” or smaller rotunda.

Prizes for each category include P500, 000.00 and plaque for first prize, P300, 00.00 for second, and P200, 000.00 for the third prize.

MMDA General Manager Robert Nacienceno said deadline for interested parties to submit their registration forms is on June 30, 2008, while deadline for submission of entries has been tentatively set on July 15, 2008.

Final evaluation and judging of finalist by the board of jurors are slated on August 21, 2008, while announcement of winners is on August 24, 2008 at the MMDA sa GMA over radio station DZBB.

Judging will be based upon over-all impact, relevance to the theme, creativity, originality and cost effectiveness, Nacienceno said.

The competition is open to all interested Filipino citizens, individuals or group nationwide. All applications shall only sent on line through the MMDA’s e-mail address: mmda_landmarkcompetition@yahoo.com. Walkins or mailed application will not be accepted.

Entries may sent through airmail packages or may be submitted to the MMDA headquarters at MMDA Bldg, Orense St. cor, Edsa, Guadalupe, Makati City on or before July 15, 2008.

For other details, interested parties may visit the MMDA website: mmda.gov.ph or call the Landmark Design Competition Secretariat at 8824151, locals 258 and 349 and look for Mr. Alex Umagat or Architect Angeli Remigio. Application forms, vicinity map and base plan of the rotundas can be download from the website. (back to top)

Adopting the uniform traffic management code (UTMC)

Chief Legal Counsel Emmanuel de Castro of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday said the proposed resolution of Metro mayors adopting and installing the Ordinance Violation Receipt of local government as the unified traffic ticketing instrument in Metro Manila it runs counter to the spirit of Executive Order 712 and Republic Act 7924 vesting in the agency the implementation of the single-ticketing system (STS)

De Castro said the MMDA cannot relinquish its mandated duty as per RA 7924 neither the Metro Manila Council (MMC) can take away the vested enforcement right of the agency to perform its functions and powers under the said laws via the said questionable resolution.

The problem arises from the misinterpretation of the MMC of Sec. 5 (f) of RA 7924 which provides, among other things, that the MMDA shall install and administer an STS in relation to traffic violations, he said.

“RA 7924 does not provide for a technical definition of STS. It is obviously the intent of the law to provide just one ticket to be issued to an errant motorist regardless which local government unit (LGU) apprehended him,” De Castro said adding that the MMC should have drafted its resolution in accordance with EO 712 and RA 7924 and should not have substituted its own version of the STS.

He likewise cautioned that it is imperative that such system be installed in Metro Manila and no other, lest a violation of the law enacted by the national legislature be committed.

De Castro expressed this opinion in the wake of the insistence of LGU representatives comprising the technical working group (TWG) that is drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the proposed resolution in a meeting to adopt the UTMC as the uniform set of traffic rules and regulations to be enforced in Metro Manila and the Ordinance Violation Receipt (OVR) as the unified ticketing system to be used in apprehending violators of traffic rules during its meeting last April 15.

The draft IRR being drawn up by the TWG accompanies the said proposed resolution that are supposed to be submitted to the Metro Manila Council, composed of the MMDA Chairman, local mayors and their representatives, and the vice-mayors and councilors’ leagues, for approval.

De Castro pointed out that just gleaning from the preamble of the mayors’ proposed resolution, it contradicts itself because of some inconsistencies.

The preamble, quoting a Supreme Court decision in the Garin case, the resolution says that the MMDA does not possess police power, hence it cannot enact ordinances, rules and regulations, he said.

On the other hand, the same resolution mandates the MMC to issue the corresponding IRR in accordance with applicable laws which, he said, is clearly a legislative function.

He explained that RA 7924 expressly grants the MMDA the powers to perform planning, monitoring, coordinating and implementing functions, and exercise regulatory and supervisory authority over the delivery of metro-wide services. These, he said, is in accordance with national government policies without diminution of the LGU’s autonomy concerning purely local matter. The same is true with EO 712 which expressly directs the MMDA to implement the STS in the capital, he added.

Other salient points of De Castro’s commentary on the proposed resolution include :

MMDA has no intention to renege on its obligation to pay what it owed the Rodrigue, Rizal municipal

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday said it has no intention to renege on its obligation to pay what it owed the Rodriguez, Rizal municipal government for hosting Metro Manila’s garbage.

But Rodriguez Mayor Pedro Cuerpo should first prove before the court that the town is the rightful owner of the 14- hectare landfill before the agency pays up, according to MMDA Chief Legal Counsel Emmanuel de Castro.

De Castro issued the statement following reports attributed to the mayor that the latter had threatened to ban Metro Manila’s dump trucks from the town’s landfill unless the MMDA pays them.

The MMDA official said Cuerpo has the wrong perception that the agency is not obliged to the municipality, saying this is exactly the reason why it had filed a case before the court to resolve the conflict.

He said that the MMDA has no recourse but to wait for the outcome of a pending case for inter-pleader it had filed before the Makati regional trial court before it can settle its obligations with the rightful landfill owner.

“ It’s up to the court to decide whether it’s the municipality or the provincial government we will pay to. Until then, we cannot move yet lest we be cited for contempt because the case is subjudice,” De Castro said.

The Rodriguez municipal government and the Rizal provincial government are at loggerheads as to which should collect payment from the MMDA.

Reports said Cuerpo will order anew to stop the dumping of garbage in his municipality if the MMDA ignores the town’s council demand for payment.

The mayor was suspended last February by the Rizal provincial government for ignoring a resolution stopping him from collecting fees from garbage haulers.

Cuerpo returned to his post last April 18 after getting a reprieve from Malacañang which ordered a stay in his suspension pending a review of his appeal. (back to top)

Bus Terminal closed down due to continues defiance to MMDA's “Nose-in, Nose-out” policy

Another bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City was closed down yesterday by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for its continued defiance of the agency’s “nose-in, nose-out” policy to ease traffic in the area.

Director Roberto Esquivel, chief of the enforcement group of the MMDA Traffic Operations Center, together with his men, led the closure of the Superlines terminal by blocking its entrance and exit with barriers and welding pink fences on the ground until its owner can comply with the traffic improvement regulation.

Superlines assistant general manager Emmanuel Pili at first attempted to stop Esquivel’s team from enforcing the closure saying their buses can move in and out of the terminal freely without causing unnecessary traffic build-up along Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (Edsa).

Upon the request of Esquivel, an impromptu test was conducted in front of the terminal whereby the driver of one of Superlines buses tried to leave and enter the station premises with its front end.

Despite exhibiting his back-off and other maneuvering methods, the driver flunked the test because the terminal was too small to allow it to engage the nose-in, nose-out maneuver. The 10-minute test also caused a short-lived traffic snarl in the area.

Esquivel advised Pili to consider transferring his terminal to a bigger place elsewhere where it can have an access road at the back of the station to enable the buses to move in and out without any hassle.

Last Sunday, Lucena Lines terminal was shut down after MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and other MMDA officials on a routine inspection discovered its buses violating the same traffic regulation.

The ES Transport terminal also in Cubao had resumed operations following an appeal from its owner to give them two weeks to rehabilitate their station so that their buses can adhere to the nose-in, nose-out policy.

The terminal is presently undergoing renovation with its office fronting Edsa being demolished to allow bigger space for its buses.

Top local officials from four towns of Pangasinan province to visit the MMDA headquarters, Marikina City

Top local officials, barangay captains and representatives of women’s groups from four towns of Pangasinan province are set to visit the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headquarters, Marikina City and other parts of Metro Manila tomorrow (April 24) to get insights and learning experiences from their counterparts here on good governance and effective leadership.

This was announced yesterday by MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando who said that a guided tour of MMDA and Marikina’s programs and projects and various activities have been lined up for the 180-member delegation of mayors, vice-mayors, councilors, barangay captains and officials and members of the Pangasinan Council of Women of the towns of San Fabian, San Jacinto, Mangaldan and Manaoag under the “Lakbay-Aral” program of the government.

San Fabian Mayor Mojamito Libunao Jr., who spearheads the visit together with elected officials of Pangasinan’s District IV, told Fernando in a letter that they are eager to see for themselves the marvelous transformation of Marikina into one of the country’s premier cities and the strides chalked by the MMDA to restore order and discipline in the streets.

“We are very much interested to see how Marikina was transformed from a disheveled town to a competitive city and the MMDA’s innovative projects to solve Metro Manila’s problems of congestion, squatting, traffic, garbage and illegal sidewalk vending,” Libunao said.

The group’s sojourn in Metro Manila is a reciprocal visit to Fernando’s earlier trip to the said Pangasinan towns where he was invited to grace their respective cityhood anniversaries and fiestas, and as guest speaker in various forums on local governance.

“We will be pleased to give them pointers on how to have the political will to get things done in their own turfs and energize their constituents to make their towns more livable,” Fernando said.

“We at the MMDA will also enlighten them on the social reorientation component of the Metro Gwapo program teach residents the values towards urbanity and respect for law and order, and that laws are solutions to problems besetting a country, city or municipality,” he added.

Highlights of the travelers’ itinerary tomorrow include a tour of Marikina and breakfast and luncheon meetings with Fernando and wife, Mayor Marides, at the Teatro Marikina and Bulwagan ng Bayani in the morning, briefing on MMDA programs and projects, inspection of the MMDA command center and a tour of PGMA’s first Gwapotel in Port Area, Manila. (back to top)

Opening of Bicutan Footbridge "Dramatic improvement in vehicular traffic has been Noted

After two weeks into the opening of the Bicutan footbridge to last April 5, a dramatic improvement in vehicular traffic has been noted in what was once a chaotic problem area marked by bumper-to-bumper traffic and unruly pedestrians.

Col. Luisito Maralit, head of the traffic safety management and security department of the Skyway Operation and Maintenance Corp (SOMC) said traffic at the Bicutan and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) area has greatly improved with motorists now enjoying a faster and convenient drive there.

“Napakaganda at napakabilis na ng takbo ng trapik dito sa Bicutan, napakalaki at sobra-sobra ang naitutulong nitong footbridge,” he said.

The SOMC manages traffic in the area with the help of the PNP Traffic Management Group, barangay traffic officials and SM Bicutan.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) built the Bicutan footbridge, believed to be the longest in the country at 531 meters including its ramps, to ease the perennial traffic congestion problem in the said area.

The footbridge addresses the traffic conflict posed by thousands of pedestrians crossing the Bicutan interchange and vehicles entering and exiting Doña Soledad Ave. in Parañaque, Lower Bicutan, Tanyag St. from Taguig, and the southbound and northbound lanes of SLEX. It also enables pedestrians to cross from the railroad traversing SLEX to SM-Bicutan and back.

Maralit was all praises for the “exceptional” improvement of traffic in the Bicutan area made possible by the construction of the footbridge. “Walang oras na di matrapik dito noon pero ngayon napakaganda na at magaan,” he further said.

Another SOMC employee, Wilma Urbano said : “Wala nang tumatawid sa kalye kagaya ng dati na nagpapabagal ng sasakyan. Napakalinis na ngayon dito.”

The footbridge effectively separates pedestrian traffic in 10 entry and exit points that has successfully eased vehicular traffic at the interchange.

Unlike other footbridges that have been built by the MMDA on critical intersections along Edsa and other major roads in Metro Manila, the ramps of the Bicutan footbridge enable all pedestrians, including the weak and the old, and even the disabled, to move about on the walkway.

Seventeen other footbridges around town are shorter spanning 30 to 45 meters across the road with two stairways on each side.(back to top)

Amnesty Program for Erring Drivers with unpaid Traffic Fines

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday reported a heavy turnout of erring drivers with unpaid traffic fines who had availed of the agency’s amnesty program that expired last month.

MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno said at the close of office hours last March 31, a total of 1,189 drivers had availed themselves of the offer, approximately 60 percent of the more than 2,000 applicants with unsettled fines dating back to 1995 the agency was expecting to avail themselves of the same pardon.

Even as Nacianceno was elated over the enthusiasm of drivers and operators of passenger jeepneys, buses and taxis to settle their obligations with the MMDA, he said the agency was not inclined to make a similar offer of amnesty in the future considering that the grant of the same is only a one-time opportunity.

“A similar amnesty is very unlikely in the near future to disabuse some errant drivers of their foolish beliefs that they can always get away with not paying their fines promptly,” he said.

Mila Ramilo, section chief of the traffic violation data office, however, said that of the 1,189 applicants, only 297 were granted amnesty as of yesterday while the rest are still in the processing pipe-line they could not comply with some of the program’s requirements.

She said some applicant-drivers were having difficulties in having their employers endorse their application because they had long been terminated for being recalcitrant traffic violators.

The rest have yet to comply with a requirement to attend a day-long seminar on traffic rules at the agency’s Traffic Education Center in Sta. Mesa, Manila because they cannot not afford to leave work not even for a day, Ramilo said.

The amnesty program was offered to public utility vehicle drivers and operators with unpaid traffic fines dating back to 1995 until Feb. 13 this year.
Still others have reasoned that they would resume following up their application as soon as they have stashed away a meager sum to pay for their unsettled fines.

Under the program, drivers with accumulated traffic citation tickets would only pay only the single lowest fine for the moving violation he had committed.

Rosaleo Baya, a jeepney driver plying the Monumento-Loreto route, for instance, shelled out P150 only as fine for obstruction despite having unsettled fines amounting to P11,000 since year 2000.

Only moving violations such as obstruction, illegal parking and disregarding traffic signs are covered under the program.

On the other hand, administrative violations such as colorum and out-of-line, which impose heavier penalties ranging from P6,000 to P7,500 are not exempted from the amnesty. (back to top)

Take Alaternate Routes to avoid getting tangled to traffic at C-5 Kalayaan

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday advised motorists to keep away from the C-5, Kalayaan corridor where the construction of an elevated U-Turn interchange is ongoing and take alternate routes instead to avoid getting tangled in the traffic gridlock in the area.

MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno issued the advisory in the wake of the opening yesterday afternoon of only two southbound lanes of C-5, Kalayaan to traffic to pave the way for the full blast construction of the elevated U-Turn slot to beat its July target date of completion July this year.

Nacianceno appealed to motorists and the riding public to heed the numerous directional signs that have been posted around town by the agency, advising motorists and the riding public of the traffic re-routing scheme and to take the alternate routes instead of getting caught in traffic snarls at the C-5, Kalayaan corridor.

“ From as far as Commonwealth Ave. and Fairview on the north, and the Sucat and Bicutan interchanges on the south, we have installed traffic advisories and directional signs to guide motorist which choices to take instead of going to C-5, Kalayaan,” he said.

Nacianceno said it is necessary to inform everyone of the situation in the said area where people will feel the traffic pinch especially this weekend.

He said traffic enforcers on foot patrol and on board motorcycles have been mobilized to assist motorists on which routes to take instead of C-5, Kalayaan.

Motorists will all be hauled away to Epifanio delos Santos Ave. using main thoroughfares such as Lacson Ave., Nagtahan, Quirino Ave. and South Superhighway as alternative routes.

Meanwhile, the ongoing re-blocking of some portions of Edsa will be stopped soon in anticipation of hundreds of vehicles that will converge in Edsa instead of C-5 Kalayaan.

The MMDA has listed the following alternate routes : Vehicles coming from Monumento going south, take Roosevelt Ave., Kamuning, Quezon Ave., then U-turn to Araneta Ave., right to Magsaysay Blvd, left to Nagtahan straight to Quirino Ave., then left to South Superhighway all the way to destination.
For vehicles traversing Katipunan Ave. going to C-5 and has reached the Boni Serrano tunnel : go straight ahead to Edsa.

Directional signs have been installed guiding motorists entering the same tunnel before the Green Meadows area to go straight to Edsa.

In Southern Metro Manila, signboards have likewise been installed in Sucat and Bicutan for motorists to take the Magallanes route in Makati City going to Edsa.

Nacianceno said this traffic re-routing scheme will take effect for the duration of the project.

The elevated U-Turn project, according to Nacianceno. Will ensure an unimpeded flow of vehicles and faster average travel speed for motorists reaching up to 56.84 kilometers per hour.(back to top)

MMDA Traffic Enforcers Caught in the Act

The ongoing campaign by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to weed out undesirables who have tarnished the image of the agency has gained ground with the arrest last night of one of the three traffic enforcers caught still manning traffic along Edsa despite having been retired and axed from the service, and off from duty.

A monitoring team earlier formed by Traffic Enforcement Group chief Roberto Esquivel to keep watch over the performance of some 2,000 of the agency’s traffic workforce chanced upon enforcer Loreto Goyena, 47, of De Guzman, Marikina City, in full uniform and with a traffic citation ticket in tow, at Edsa-Aurora Blvd while allegedly waiting to pounce on a public utility vehicle that was likely to commit a traffic infraction despite having been separated from the service in October last year.

Goyena’s alleged two cohorts, whom team leader Victor Barroga identified as a certain Lahir and Abuda, managed to escape during a melee that ensued the arrest of the former.

Some traffic enforcers stationed along Edsa had tipped off Esquivel about the nefarious activities of Goyena’s group which, according to them, had been operating from SM North to Monumento and allegedly mulcting errant private and public utility vehicle (PUVs) drivers.

Esquivel disclosed that a few more traffic enforcers are being investigated on the basis of complaints of wrongdoings of MMDA officials and employees reported by concerned employees and some sectors through the agency’s ongoing “I-text Mo Ke BF” project.

A check made with the MMDA’s administrative department showed that Goyena has availed of separation benefits from the agency while Lahir has long been terminated from the agency. Abuda is reportedly still active in service.

Barroga said Abuda is a contractual employee and belongs to the 2 p.m.to 10 p.m. work shift. Reports reaching Esquivel’s office said Abuda has been spotted on several occasions manning traffic along Edsa beyond his prescribed working hours.

Esquivel vowed to continue cleansing the ranks of traffic enforcers of scalawags by instituting reforms which he said would allow no room for dishonest, inept and misfits in the agency.

“ We are cracking whip against these rotten eggs which have shamed the agency for their misdeeds. They have made their choices, hence, they should face the consequences of their actions,” he said.

As of press time, Goyena remains in police custody and is facing charges of usurpation of authority, among other offenses.

Esquivel assumed his post recently in the wake of reports of the proliferation and unabated operations of colorum and out-of-line buses and other light vehicles along Edsa.

Some drivers of colorum units have reportedly named-dropped key MMDA officials to escape apprehension, drawing the ire of MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and prompting him to order Esquivel to go after recalcitrant drivers and operators of illegal PUVs who continue to defy the law.(back to top)

MMDA Traffic Enforcement Group chief Roberto Esquivel said the operations, dubbed as Phase 2 of the anti-colorum drive, will be pursued without let-up day-in and day-out to restore order and discipline on Edsa.

“ This is a no-nonsense, no-Ningas Cogon campaign against drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) who think the long arm of the law cannot catch up with them,” Esquivel said

“We will pound on them incessantly until we can exact respect for the law from them and until motorists and the commuters can have a faster and convenient drive along Edsa,” he added.

The teams were mobilized as early as 6 a.m. yesterday and scoured the entire stretch of Edsa, from Monumento to Baclaran, in search of PUVs using the main highway, its intersections and sidewalks, as illegal terminals.

During the conduct of the operations, these vehicles were found to be dawdling at intersections and easements waiting for a few more passengers to come by. The taxicabs were mostly found parked illegally parked on the outermost lane near the sidewalk curbs, under the footbridges and along the MRT and LRT lines.

In the case of the apprehended colorum bus units, they were among those flagged down by the teams upon noticing they did not have micro-chips on their front windshields and could not show any document to prove that they are legitimately plying their trade.

As of press time, 22 jeepneys, taxicabs, vans and buses were apprehended and brought to Edsa-White plains where each vehicle were verified on the basis of documents presented to the teams by drivers.

Those vehicles found to have no franchises were impounded and towed to the MMDA impounding yards in Pasig and Las Piñas.

Drivers were cited with at least five traffic and transport violations which include obstruction, illegal parking, illegal terminal, colorum and out-of-line.

Except for colorum and out-of-line vehicles which command a P6,000 fine or more, violators cited with obstruction and illegal parking shell out a measly P150 as penalty while the fine for illegal terminal violation is P200.

Esquivel said the MMDA is considering increasing the P150 fine for obstruction to deter errant motorists from want only committing such violation.(back to top)

Target date of completion of the Elevated U-Turn Project of MMDA

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday started the re-routing of traffic at C-5 and Kalayaan Ave. to beat the July target date of completion of the Elevated U-Turn project in the area.

Esquivel said the traffic re-routing scheme was implemented to ensure that the construction of the U-Turn would go on as scheduled and finished in July this year.

Construction of the elevated interchange project started last February 15 with President Arroyo gracing the simple groundbreaking ceremonies at the Kalayaan corridor in Pasig City.

The project will ensure an unimpeded flow of vehicles and faster average travel speed for motorists reaching up to 56.84 kilometers per hour. Thousands of vehicles converge around C-5 and Kalayaan Ave.from Southern Metro Manila going north and south, and to other directions at any given time.

“ This latest traffic engineering project is one of our permanent solutions to reduce the traffic conflict in the area where vehicles can hardly move about in any direction especially during rush hours,” Esquivel said.

Directional signs have mushroomed from the periphery of the construction site to adjoining streets to guide motorists on what direction to take using alternate routes.

The TOC has enumerated the following alternate routes to be taken by private and public utility vehicles to avoid the Kalayaan corridor going to Edsa : Vehicles going to C-5 from Rizal province, take Edsa; from Rizal province, traverse Ortigas Ave. straight to Edsa; from Amang Rodriguez turn right to Ortigas going to Edsa; from Rizal, traverse Sandoval Ave. in Pasig City, left to Mercedes Ave., right to C. Raymundo, Ortigas, then straight to Edsa; and from Shaw Blvd going to Pasig town proper, take Danny Floro road bound to Canley Rd., right to C-5 service road, then left to Vargas bridge.

Esquivel said the re-routing scheme will be in effect for the duration of the construction of the project.

The C-5-Kalayaan U-Turn will become a stand alone interchange where the presence of traffic enforcers and traffic signal facilities will no longer be necessary.(back to top)

No Political color in Chairman Bayani Fernando's Streamers

General Manager Robert Nacianceno of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday denied any political color in Chairman Bayani Fernando’s streamers with his image strewn along Edsa saying they were merely served to teach motorists and pedestrians on obeying traffic rules and regulations.

Contrary to newspaper reports that these streamers were placed in conspicuous places along Edsa in furtherance of Fernando’s political ambition, Nacianceno stressed that they were part and parcel of the MMDA’s ongoing and intensified education and information campaign to increase the road users’ awareness on the agency’s programs and projects to restore order and discipline in the streets of Metro Manila.

Nacianceno was reacting to reports attributed to Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez that Fernando maybe liable for graft for filling up the metropolis with his facial tarpaulins. Golez was also quoted to have said that these posters have defiled the MMDA information posts under flyovers and the Metro Rail Transit line on Edsa.

The MMDA official said that the matter of beauty and ugliness is debatable but he said he would not debate about it with Golez because it is just a matter of taste.

“ The ability to perceive and enjoy beauty and excellence rests on the beholder but we at the MMDA are taking the congressman’s tirades as complimentary remarks because he has taken notice of our projects,” he said.

Nacianceno explained that insofar as the implementation of the agency’s physical development projects to transform Metro Manila into a more livable environment is concerned, the MMDA focuses not so much on the aesthetic sense but more on cost-efficient and functional engineering designs.

On the issue as to why the posters bear Fernando’s likeness, he said that no other photo would have much impact on what they were trying to convey to the public but the chairman’s because the urbanity- and –order campaign is the latter’s very own guiding principle to transform the metropolis into Metro Gwapito in 2008, and Metro Gwapo by year 2010.

“ The messages on those posters rightfully belong to the messenger in the person of the chairman,” he stressed.

Nacianceno likewise dismissed as “insignificant” the unwanted remarks of Golez and other detractors who deride Fernando’s images on the posters as oversized.

“ The chairman’s photos are not as important as the message. If the images were small, they would have appeared that Fernando was playing coy. The posters truly reflect of his political will to solve the problems of Metro Manila, particularly on traffic.(back to top)

Apprehension and Impounding of 140 Out-of-Line and Colorum Buses

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said traffic along Edsa has dramatically improved for the past few days due to the apprehension and impounding of 140 out-of-line and colorum buses since last Monday.

This was disclosed by the MMDA following reports reaching the office of the chairman that travel time for Edsa, despite increased vehicle volume, has reflected a notable improvement from the prevailing 31.88 kilometers per hour to 65 kilometers per hour since last Monday owing to the MMDA’s clampdown on passenger buses plying the major thoroughfare without legitimate franchises and outside of their routes.

MMDA officials assured the public that traffic along Edsa and other major thoroughfares in the metropolis will further improve in the second quarter of 2008 when the agency implements the enhanced Organized Bus Route (OBR).

“ Once the OBR using Radio Frequency Identification technology becomes fully operational, calorum bus units can easily be identified and apprehended since they will be unable to pass through designated bus terminals, control stations and bus stops,” the officials said.

Traffic Enforcement Operations chief Roberto Esquivel led a team of traffic enforcers who swooped down on buses and FX taxicabs operating illegally along Edsa-Balintawak, Edsa-WhitePlains and Edsa-VVSoliven last Monday and apprehended 60 bus units followed by 80 buses yesterday, bringing the total number to 140 buses impounded and brought to the MMDA Las Piñas impounding yard.

In an interview with newsmen, Esquivel belied reports that the agency would stop apprehending and spray-painting passenger buses and FX taxis caught illegally operating along Edsa and other major thoroughfares.

Esquivel said that despite protests from some transport groups, the agency will continue to conduct anti-colorum and out-of-line operations against bus drivers and operators who wantonly disregard the law.

“ We have taken an oath to do what is right to bring order in the streets, we have no intention to give kid-glove treatment to those who continue to defy the law, he told newsmen.

Esquivel advised colorum bus owners and operators to consider the option of selling their bus units to public and private companies who he said are in need of shuttle buses for their employees to ferry them to and from their workplace.

He suggested that colorum bus units can also be converted to tourist buses which he said is another lucrative option for colorum operators to consider.

“ Before it’s too late they (operators) better diversify their trade because we will not stop going after these felons and their illegal practices,” he quipped.

Esquivel disclosed that after conducting anti-colorum operations, his team is eyeing the closure of illegal public utility vehicle terminals encroaching on the sidewalks and road right-of ways and apprehension of motorists and vehicles going beyond the Pink Line markers.

The Pink Line serves as boundary markers separating government from private property lines. Offenders are cited with illegal parking and unattended vehicles are towed immediately to the MMDA Pasig impounding yard.

He appealed to local chief executives and traffic officials to disallow transport groups from setting up illegal terminals anywhere they please to the detriment of pedestrians and other motorists.(back to top)

Traffic on Edsa to Improve This Year

          Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday said traffic along Edsa and in six other major roads in Metro Manila is expected to dramatically improve with the implementation of several new traffic engineering projects this year.

          He said the MMDA is set to resume shortly the construction of a footbridge in Eastwood, Libis in Quezon City where a spate of vehicular accidents involving pedestrians has been recorded for several years now due to hordes of pedestrians spilling over the streets, and dangerously moving across the other side oblivious to oncoming and speeding vehicles.

          The MMDA has started the building of the proposed footbridge but was held in abeyance following a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the court in favor of a nearby Citibank branch which had protested the construction of the same. Citibank complained that initial diggings undertaken by the MMDA to install the steel girders of the walkway had damaged some of its underground utility lines.

          Reports reaching the office of the MMDA chief said Citibank has requested the court to lift its
TRO on the case so that the MMDA can resume the construction of the footbridge

At the Kalayaan and C-5 area in Makati City, work on the construction of an elevated U-Turn slot is expected to start next month, according to Fernando. “Expropriation of some houses to be hit by the project has been done while some residents who have been afforded prior relocation assistance have nowhere to go but go back to their resettlement sites,” he said.

He said more footbridges will be built on Edsa cor. Roxas Blvd during the first quarter of the year to ensure an unimpeded flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Similar walkways are also set to be installed on Harrison St. and Taft Avenue, all in Edsa.

More bus stops and control stations will be installed in strategic points of Commonwealth Ave.to ensure a faster and more convenient drive for motorists while road improvements will be undertaken at the University of the Philippines in Diliman that would connect it to Commonwealth Ave.

Fernando said travel speed along Edsa has sharply improved from 31.88 kilometers per hour in previous years to the present 23 kms. Per hour.

“Traffic on Edsa will further improve as soon as we implement mid this year the Enhanced Organized Bus Route system that will control passenger bus flow”, he said.

The MMDA has targeted the tagging of 2,517 bus units plying Edsa with micro-chips. At least 500 buses have already been equipped with Radio Frequency Identification technology or micro-chips that would allow the MMDA to regulate the dispatch of PUVs on Edsa based on passenger demand using the system linked to the MMDA Metrobase.(back to top)





MMDA to Spruce Up Pasay Barangay

The disheveled barangay that was cleared of illegal structures such as houses and makeshift stalls of illegal vendors who were squatting under the Baclaran-Taft LRT station in Pasay City last Friday will be transformed into a livable community.

          This was announced by MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando during a dialogue yesterday with the kagawads or councilmen and residents of barangay Sto Niño at the MMDA headquarters where the former said the agency will immediately put in order the said barangay to make it a livable and workable environment under the Pook na Bulok, Negosyo’y Di Papasok project, a component of the broader cleanliness, beautification and infrastructure development Metro Gwapo program.

          The MMDA’s sidewalk clearing operations group demolished last Friday rows of houses made of concrete and light wood, ramshackle stalls and small business establishments that have been illegally occupying the road right-of-way near the LRT’s main depot which the LRTA management said posed threat to the operations of the transit system in case of fire and other exigencies.

          The councilmen sought the assistance of the MMDA in the relocation of affected residents, mostly vendors, who were rendered homeless as a result of Friday’s demolition operations. Some of the families, they said, are seeking free transportation fare so that they can go home to their provinces.

          Fernando assured the councilmen that the displaced families will be provided with financial assistance even as he encouraged the others to stop illegal vending and squatting and looks for other gainful jobs.(back to top)

Proposed National ID System Will Benefit The Poor,says BF

Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said over the weekend that the proposed National Identification (ID) System would primarily help the government identify the real and deserving beneficiaries of its assistance and services, particularly the poor...

          Speaking before the Liga ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas at the Usapang Daungan held at the Danarra Hotel in Quezon City, Fernando said that contrary to public apprehensions that the proposed ID system would be limited to boosting the security operations of the military, he said the poor would greatly benefit from the mechanism because it will help the government identify who among the 85 million Filipinos are deserving of basic assistance and services such as food, medicines, housing and shelter,  and even relocation sites for bona fide informal settlers, among other things.

          “All the talks that the ID system would help the government only against insurgency and terrorism are only secondary, what is more important here is that our bigger population of poor Filipinos stand to gain the bigger stake and share in the benefits of our country’s growth through an efficient identification system,” he told the big group of radio broadcasters gathered at the forum.

          “Kung may National ID system yung libreng bigas o anomang tulong ay mabibigay sa mga tunay na mahihirap upang maibsan ang kahirapan, sa kawalan ng ID ang mga malalakas ang loob at mapagsamantala ang nakikinabang, he added.

          A case in point, Fernando said, is at the Metro Manila Inter-Agency Committee on Relocation of Informal Settlers which he is concurrently the chairperson, and where he said the body has been earnestly conducting strategic studies on how to solve the squatting problem but is having a hard time to come up with an accurate listing of who are really deserving of relocation assistance.

          “We’re having a difficult time to distinguish who the bona fide families and who the opportunists and professional squatters are, even as he lamented that more often than not the committee has been helping the wrong people,” he said.

          Fernando stressed that the benefits of the proposed ID system far outweigh than what the public perceive it to be.

          “Hangga’t wala tayong Id system, walang magagawa ang computer at iba pang makabagong teknolohiya, Hindi natin matutukoy ang bawat isa sa ating 85 milyong kababayan, he said.

          In the same vein, the Chairman said that with a good id system backed by computerization and modern technology; these will surely propel the country to progress.

           He proposed that an intensified information campaign must be conducted nationwide on the benefits and not the perceived evil of the proposed National ID System so that the public will be properly educated.

          Moreover, he said that the National Bureau of Investigation, along with other concerned government agencies, is the most competent government agency to tackle an in-depth review of the whole National ID system concept and implement it because he it has the most extensive files and has put in place the best state-of-the-art systems in identifying each and every Filipino.(back to top)

Baclaran - LRT Clearing Operation

Composite teams of the MMDA’s sidewalk clearing operations group (SCOG) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) forces of the Bicutan NCR police yesterday swooped down and dismantled a colony of houses and makeshift stalls of illegal vendors and confiscated their wares under the Light Rail Transit (LRT) station along Taft Extension in Baclaran, Pasay City.

          Around 1,000 SCOG personnel escorted by 100 SWAT policemen, with seven trucks and heavy equipment in tow, started demolishing at 6 a.m. the rows of houses made of concrete and light wood, ramshackle stalls and small business establishments numbering around 500, that have been illegally occupying the road right-of-way for two decades in Barangay Sto. Niño under the LRT station and near its main depot.

          Aside from permanent and semi-permanent houses, business establishments such as eateries, beauty parlors, talipapa (flea market), cellular phone repair stalls, barber shops and sari-sari stores have mushroomed in the barangay.

          Bonafide residents in the same barangay welcomed the move of the MMDA to clear the area which they said has become lairs of snatchers, hold-uppers and other criminal elements.

          There was no resistance put up by the affected 1,500 squatter families against the demolition teams as they meekly carted away their belongings to safer grounds on Taft Ave. while police escorts cordoned off the area from the big crowd that gathered in the area and secured the safety of the demolition teams going about in their work.

          Roberto Esquivel, head of the SCOG, said the operations is a test case for government to implement the law especially in the case of the Baclaran squatter families who he said have managed to illegally occupy the area for such a long time because barangay authorities and other influential people had taken the cudgels for them.

          “It’s time to put a stop to this kind of anarchy on the streets,” Esquivel said.

          Since last October, the MMDA and Pasay City Mayor Peewee Trinidad have been negotiating with the families to pack up their belongings and vacate the area. After two extension periods that had lapsed last week, they refused to budge and even asked for another extension until March this year.

          Esquivel said it’s for government to put its foot down because the presence of the families near the depot would imperil the operations of the LRT and displace 500,000 of its daily commuters in case of fire and other exigencies.

          He also said the MMDA and the police are readying appropriate charges to be filed before the Ombudsman against the Barangay captain of Sto. Niño who he said have allegedly condoned illegal squatting in his constituency in violation of existing laws.

          “We will see to it that the barangay chairman is removed from his post,” Esquivel said.

          LRTA Administrator Melquiades Robles earlier sought the assistance of the MMDA to address the problem of illegal settlers under the LRT Baclaran station.

          As of press time, the removal of illegal structures in Sto. Niño were almost completed after which the MMDA will resume its clearing operations in other areas along the LRT Baclaran station.(back to top)

Bicutan Footbridge

The perennial traffic congestion problem brought about by thousands of pedestrians hustling and bustling to and from the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Bicutan Interchange during rush hours will soon be over, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

          MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday said the longest footbridge being built by the MMDA spanning around 500 meters in length and which would allow pedestrians to cross side to side from the railroad traversing SLEX to SM Bicutan will be completed by March this year to ease the worsening pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area.

          Fernando said the ongoing construction of the Bicutan ramp-footbridge, believed to be the longest in the country, will be completed two months earlier than its target completion date in May this year because the MMDA is relentlessly rushing up the said traffic engineering project at the soonest possible time.

          Only two girders are left to be installed in the footbridge to complete the construction of the same, he said.

“ Prior to undertaking the project, we have conducted several thorough and strategic studies on the pedestrian conflict in the Bicutan-SLEX area and the only option left for us to solve the traffic gridlock there is to put up this footbridge,” he said.

MMDA traffic engineering center official Noemi Tibayan-Recio said that among other studies conducted by her unit, a recent pedestrian volume count in the area showed that 155,000 pedestrains move about and across South Superhighway and the Bicutan Interchange area from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 

Unlike other footbridges that have been built by the MMDA on critical intersections along Edsa and other major and secondary roads in Metro Manila, the prospective Bicutan footbridge will have ramps instead of stairways to enable all pedestrians, including the weak and the old, and even the disabled to go about freely on the pedestrain walkway, the MMDA chief said.

The 17 other footbridges around town span 30 to 45 meters across the road with two stairways on each side. Bicutan footbridge, which will also be painted in Chairman BF’s signature pink and blue, is approximately 360 meters in length, excluding the ramps on both sides. (back to top)
               

Second Gwapotel’s Features and Amenities

For a P25-overnight stay at the second Gwapotel Inn that will soon rise in Tondo, Manila, out-of-towners on an economical budget can enjoy some of the comforts and benefits of an economy class, on board service of an airline, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

          Architect Alfonso Romero, head of the MMDA’s Construction Equipment and Maintenance Office (CEMO)  said laborers, vendors and even white-collar and blue collar workers will have more room to relax, sleep or work at the second Gwapotel in the heart of Tondo’s residential and commercial zone on Jose Abad Santos St.

At P20 for overnight lodging and P5 shower bath, guests can sleep in an air-conditioned bedroom with three-deck capsular beds equipped with good lumbar support that can accommodate 800 people at a given time, he said.

 Romero said Gwapotel transients can just doze off to sleep, simply relax, or read newspapers and magazines in their capsular beds equipped with a tubular control panel above them for individual spotlight, air condition thermostat adjustments and piped-in music.

“This is an enviable private space for Gwapotel guests who can afford the luxury of an eight-hour sleep plus shower bath for a measly P25 charge,” he said.

          The abandoned but still structurally sound 2,800 square-meter Emmanuel Hospital on Jose Abad Santos St. will become the second Gwapotel where total renovation work is expected to start next week, Romero said. Total renovation costs for the hospital building alone would cost P10.7 million, he added.

Emmanuel Hospital through its owner, the Privatization Management Office of the Department of Finance, has agreed to rent out the old building to the MMDA for P200,000 monthly. A memorandum of understanding between the PMO and the MMDA will be inked shortly between both parties.(back to top)

Single Traffic Ticketing System or MTT for Metro Manila Approved

Metro Mayors and their representatives comprising the Metro Manila Council (MMC) have approved a resolution adopting the single-ticketing system or Metropolitan Traffic Ticket (MTT) of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as the official traffic violation citation instrument in apprehending traffic violators in Metro Manila.

          In last Thursday’s regular meeting of the MMC presided over by MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, Metro mayors and their representatives, after a prolonged and thorough debate, approved the resolution adopting the MTT as the official traffic citation ticket to be used by traffic enforcers of the MMDA, local government units (LGUs) and duly deputized agents in apprehending traffic violators in Metro Manila.

          The move to revert to the single-ticketing system or MTT came in the heels of mounting complaints of PUV drivers of the exorbitant fines being charged them by local traffic enforcers and confusion wrought upon them by too many authorities on traffic.

          President Arroyo has reportedly tasked Fernando and local mayors to heed the drivers’ clamor to assuage them of the burden of paying excessive fines for traffic violations in the wake of the spiraling fuel costs.

          Fernando said it will take about a month to implement the MTT as local traffic enforcers will undergo training shortly on traffic management and enforcement at the MMDA’s Traffic Academy.

          He stressed that the approved resolution does not invalidate for the time being the official violation receipt (OVR) being issued by local traffic enforcers to traffic violators because he said LGUs likewise have mandated functions under their local traffic codes and ordinances.

          The OVRs can still be used until such time that the LGUs have completed the review of their own traffic codes and ordinances and amendments have been put in place.

Prior to approving the resolution, the MMC agreed to have the MMDA subsequently draft a unified traffic code with uniform and staved off  fines and penalties and present it to local councils as amendments to their own traffic codes and ordinances.

The council also agreed to implement Fenando’s long-standing  proposal to the  LGUs that all citation tickets will come from the MMDA and the agency gets P30 for each ticket to cover administrative costs.

Through the said scheme, the LGUs will no longer  administer tickets because after apprehending traffic violators, they will just send copies of the tickets to the MMDA, which in turn, will take care of the rest. As soon as payment is remitted by the bank, the same will be remitted to the concerned LGU minus the amount of P30.

The council was seemingly amenable to the proposal and unanimously agreed to hold further meetings to promulgate specific rules and guidelines on the use of the MTT, provided they are in accordance and consistent with existing laws and ordinances.

RA 7924 mandates the MMDA to install and administer a single ticketing system or the MTT.

The MTT was questioned in court because when implemented several years ago, there was no council resolution to back it up. The courts had ruled that there has to be a council resolution that can be invoked for the MTT to be used as the official citation instrument in apprehending traffic violators.

Under the MTT, the MMDA has not been confiscating drivers licenses and has minimized the incidence of “kotong” cases because payment of fines are settled with the banks. (bact to top)

Major Asian Cities to Meet and Discuss Global Warming, Urbanity

Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) today announced that the 6th Plenary Meeting of the Asian Network of Major Cities (ANMC) 21 opens on Monday (Nov. 26) at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila.

The tow-day conference, scheduled from Nov. 26 to Nov. 27, 2007 and organized by the MMDA this year, will bring to fore the pressing issues of urbanity and global warming.

Fernando said the conference is expected to draw approximately 60 delegates from ANMC 21’s 11 member-cities, namely Bangkok, Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Metro Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Yangon. Metro Manila’s delegation will be led by no less than MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.

For six years now, the conference has served as a venue for ANMC21’s member-cities to unilaterally discuss regional issues affecting the environment, health, travel and tourism, and urban development, among other things.

This year’s event carries the theme “Urbanity” Harmony Amidst Diversity.” One of the highlights of the meeting is a policy dialogue on the theme, featuring presentations from Bangkok, Manila and Taipei delegates, and an ensuing discussion among all member-cities.

“The theme is very timely from a regional perspective,” said Fernando. The Asian economy is booming. More specifically, the prospects for the ANMC21 member-cities, including Metro Manila, are as bullish as ever. But while each city pursues its own growth, we are also seeing the rise of regionalism. Countries in Asia are coming together to drive the region’s overall growth. For our part, the ANMC21 members believe that each member-city should also support each other’s growth. And we intend to explore different ways of doing that through the plenary conference.”

Global warming is another pressing concern that the ANMC21 member-cities intends to address at the plenary conference.

“For the longest time, we have been occupied with urban development and management and have not been able to foresee the negative impact on the environment. We think it’s high time that we address the issue of global warming now as part of our individual and regional development plans,” Fernando added.

The discussion on global warming will consist of reports from Manila, Tokyo, Delhi, Jakarta and Seoul, to be followed by a discussion among the member-cities.

Traditionally, the plenary meeting will conclude with the drafting and signing of a declaration that embodies the ANMC21 consensus on the issues tackled. According to Fernando, the Manila declaration is expected to include directions in addressing these two primary concerns.

An exhibition featuring the member-cities at the SM Mall of Asia will run concurrently with the plenary conference. The exhibition will be opened for public viewing on November 24, 2007. The Asian performing Arts Festival will also be held in conjunction with the ANMC21 from November 25 to 27, 2007, also at the SM Mall of Asia.

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About ANMC21
The ANMC21 is an international network of Asian capital and major cities including Bangkok, Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Metro Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Yangon. The network aims to undertake joint projects involving the member-cities to address regional issues such as technological development, environmental countermeasures and industrial development.

About the ANMC21 Plenary Meeting

BF Urges LGUs to Provide Market Space for Sidewalk Vendors

Chairman Bayani Fernando of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has urged market administrators of all local government units (LGUs) to provide spaces in public and private markets for vendors selling their wares on the sidewalks and other public places to minimize, if not put a stop, to the unabated illegal vending problem in Metro Manila.

          At the same time, Fernando appealed to illegal vendors who continue to sell their wares on the sidewalks and roads right-of-way to go inside public and private markets  or “silongs” where he said it’s cheaper to ply their trade to evade paying mulct to policemen and other goons.

          “Paying space rentals for their makeshift stalls in the market is relatively much cheaper than shelling off kotong money to mulcting cops and other members of syndicate who continue to bleed them dry,” he said.

          Falling prey to the nefarious activities of these unscrupulous persons is never a guarantee that they (vendors) cannot be rounded up every now and then by persons in authority such as the MMDA’s sidewalk clearing operations group and members of the various LGUs’ anti-illegal vending task forces, he added.

          Fernando said the MMDA intends to make representations with local market administrators shortly to request the latter to dismantle warehouses and other illegal structures in the market being used as sleeping quarters which is prohibited by law and turn them over instead to sidewalk vendors who want to legitimize their business.

          He said that the agency also intends to discuss with local market administrators the feasibility of putting up more markets to house thousands of illegal vendors and perhaps strike an agreement with the latter to exact lower market space rentals from these small traders.

          Fernando disclosed that all these vending issues will be taken up as one of the agenda to be deliberated upon by mayors and other local executives in the forthcoming meeting of the Metro Manila Council, the policy-making body of the MMDA.

          On unfounded fears of some vendors that business is not as lucrative when they sell their wares inside the market, the chairman said it would be wiser for them to scout around for other means of livelihood rather than illegally vending on prohibited places and risk their investment. (bact to top)

Revised Guidelines on No Physical Contact Policy

Erring drivers whose traffic violations are caught on camera through the No Physical Contact Policy of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) can defer payment of the corresponding fines and fees if they protest such apprehension.

          This is embodied, among other things, in memorandum circular No. 04 of the revised implementing guidelines of MMDA Resolution No. 02-49 which authorizes the agency to adopt a No Physical Contact Policy in apprehending traffic violators in Metro Manila through the use of digital cameras.

          The MMDA has come up with the revised guidelines following a ruling by the regional trial court branch 145 of Makati City in May 2005 discontinuing the said policy after it found some constitutional infirmities in the old memorandum circular outlining the guidelines of MMDA Resolution 02-49.

          “The re-implementation of the No Physical Contact Policy and its noble objective can never be realized unless the constitutional infirmity being referred to by the court is rectified,” MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said.

          Under the revised implementing rules, the No Physical Contact Policy shall apply to all drivers of private and public utility vehicles at random. Summons or first notice signed by the head of the traffic operations center and the cameraman who took the pictures of the violations through a digital camera shall be issued to the traffic violator and the owner or operator of the vehicle. The summons shall indicate the date, time, location, traffic violation committed, the assessed penalties and a photo clip of the apprehended vehicle.

          The summons shall also contain a statement that the traffic violator has the right to file a protest before the traffic adjudication board within seven days from receipt of said notice and that failure to file the same shall be deemed a waiver of such right and shall be construed as an admission of the traffic violation cited.

          Also under the revised guidelines, payment of fines shall be made within seven days upon receipt of the summons, unless a protest was filed by the traffic violator.

          After the lapse of the seven-day period, there being no protest filed and the fines remain unpaid, a final notice to settle the same shall be issued.

          If the traffic violator and owner or operator of the vehicle fails to pay the assessed penalties from receipt of the final summons, the drivers’ license number or vehicle license plate number shall be included in the alarm list after which MMDA traffic operatives shall apprehend and impound the subject vehicle.

Summons shall be sent through registered mail and copies of which shall be furnished the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on a daily basis.

          Traffic violators who refuse to receive or accept without any valid reason the summons issued them shall be deemed to have received the same.

          The revised memorandum circular will take effect 15 days upon its publication in two newspapers of general circulation. (bact to top)

Convenors' Meeting to Strengthen MMDA Slated on December 3

Predecessors of MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando have agreed to hold a summit on Dec. 3 this year to find ways to expedite the passing of a pending bill in Congress that will amend the conflicting provisions relating to RA 7924 or the MMDA Charter.

          MMDA precursors led by former First Lady Imelda Marcos of the defunct Metro Manila Commission and former Metro Manila Authority chairmen and current Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye and Joey Lina came face-to-face with each other, together with current MMDA officials led by Fernando this morning in an “eyeball-to-eyeball” reunion marking the 32nd anniversary of the MMDA.

          During the reunion, a consensus was reached among them to hold the summit at the soonest possible time because they said the MMDA can do more if it is given ample support to resolve the conflicting provisions of its charter.

          “We should pool our resources for Congress to expedite the various amendments to RA 7924 to put more teeth on the enforcement powers of the MMDA so that it can continue to restore order and discipline in the streets and for the common good of Metro Manilans,” Mrs. Marcos said.

          Lina, on the other hand, said it’s high time that Congress should revisit the said law because the MMDA under its charter has not been delegated police power by Congress.

          “The courts have failed to appreciate the rationale of the agency which as we all know is for the common good of residents of Metro Manila. It can do more if given ample support and police power.

          The Supreme Court had clarified last year that it had not prohibited MMDA traffic enforcers from confiscating the driver’s licenses of erring drivers or had stripped the agency of its police powers. It actually held that the MMDA’s power to confiscate and suspend or revoke driver’s licenses must be in the enforcement of a valid law, ordinance or regulation arising from a legitimate source.

Soldiers to Help MMDA and LGUs in Disaster Rescue Operations and Clearing Metro Manila Roadways of Obstructions

Enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will work hand in hand with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units in disaster relief and response operations and clearing roadways of illegal structures and other forms of obstructions in the National Capital Region.

This was announced by MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando as guest speaker during the joint closing ceremony of the disaster relief and response operations course class held recently at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City where 376 AFP officers and enlisted personnel completed their training on disaster preparedness and management

Fernando also lauded the AFP’s pledge of support of some 15,000 soldiers to beef up the MMDA’s sidewalk clearing operations group in clearing roadways of shanties of informal settlers, illegally-parked vehicles and other illegal encroachments on the sidewalks and roads right-of-way in Metro Manila.

“We need you to help us respond to disasters not through the use of your rifles but through the use of tools and equipment to help our countrymen in distress and restore order in our midst for Metro Manila to become truly Metro Gwapo by 2010,” he told the  enlisted men of the AFP NCR Command led by MGen. Fernando Mesa.

The MMDA special operations unit led by director Ramon Santiago conducted the training of the soldiers on the basics of earthquake and landslide search and rescue operations, incident command system and familiarization with tools and their proper usage in extricating victims of collapsed structures and landslides.

In his speech, the MMDA chief also underscored the need for the AFP to coordinate with the Metro Manila Disaster Coordinating Council, LGUs, barangay rescue brigades and other volunteer groups on the standard operating procedures and protocols to be observed for a prompt and unhampered response during emergencies.

“There should be well-coordinated efforts and timely response to disasters to make our rescue operations more efficient and effective in saving lives and property during earthquakes, fires, flood and where there are threats of terrorism,” he said. (bact to top)

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13 More Loading and Unloading Stations to Improve Traffic on EDSA

Traffic along the entire stretch of Edsa will dramatically improve with the opening of 13 more loading and unloading stations and installation of geometric improvements on this main thoroughfare in November this year, according to MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.

Fernando said hundreds of personnel from the MMDA’s traffic engineering and operations centers will start putting up the Edsa-Ortigas loading and unloading bays in front of the POEA building on the first week of October this year while 12 others will be built in other strategic points along the avenue in November in anticipation of the traffic build-up this Christmas.

“The horrors of traffic moving at a snail’s pace or even stops to a standstill, undisciplined public utility vehicles blatantly disregarding traffic signs, and buses that creep and dawdle at intersections and beside waiting sheds to wait for passengers at Edsa will be minimized this year especially during the Christmas rush because we will now have to herd commuters to designated loading and unloading stations,” he said.

Geometric improvements such as appropriate directional signs to inform the riding public where to go and proper lighting will be installed in every loading and unloading bay with scores of enforcers to man them to ensure the orderly loading and unloading of passengers and strict enforcement of traffic rules, he added.

The 13 proposed loading and unloading bays at Edsa will augment the seven existing stations located at Farmers’ Market in Cubao, Ayala Ave, Robinsons Galeria, Camp Crame, North MRT and two in Munoz both northbound and southbound.

The MMDA chief said the rest of the 13 new Edsa loading and unloading stations will be built in Magallanes southbound and Ayala –MRT station northbound, both in Makati, Connecticut south bound in San Juan, MCU both northbound and southbound in Caloocan, and Oliveros both north and southbound, Royal both north and southbound, Main Ave., Boni Serrano and New York in front of Baliuag terminal, all in Quezon City.

Fernando also said several similar stations will be built in other major thoroughfares such as Commonwealth Ave., Q.C., Buendia Ave and Guadalupe in Makati., and  Shaw Blvd., in front of Megamall and Pinatubo, all in Mandaluyong.(back to top)  

Uniform Standards For All Infrastructure Projects in Metro Manila

An inter-agency technical working committee (TWC) has been formed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that will formulate standards for all infrastructure projects in Metro Manila in a bid to improve the quality of work, products and services.

This was announced today by MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando who said that TWC members, composed of MMDA officials, city engineers and building officials of the 17 cities and towns of the metropolis, including those from the Department of Public Works and Highways and private groups of architects, contractors and engineers, are now busy drawing up engineering and architectural standards for all infrastructure projects and other technical matters being undertaken on or along the roads of the capital.

Fernando said the creation of the committee, with MMDA chief Architect Alfonso Romero as chairperson, is an offshoot to an MMDA resolution recently approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC) which recognized the need to create the same that will formulate, promote and enforce standards for infrastructure projects.

He said the MMC saw the need to form the TWC because the national government and local government units undertake infrastructure projects every year in their areas of jurisdiction, each following their own engineering designs and standards thereby resulting to varying designs, measurements, shapes and colors for every project in every locality.

“ For Metro Manila to continue to project its image as the country’s model of having a successful urban development, it is appropriate for all LGUs to have a harmonized and uniform standards so that in time these features will give the capital a distinct character,” Fernando said.

The TWC has been brainstorming on existing standards, guidelines, the National Building Code and other related laws, and other materials on design standards and construction to set up a uniform criteria to be applied by five different sub-committees.

The five sub-committees consist of one for buildings and structures, another for road infrastructure, for flood control, landscape and sub-committee for utilities.(bact to top)       

MMDA Traffic Improvement Plans To Cut Off Travel Time To Baguio

Motoring to Baguio City from Metro Manila on conventional roads instead of the much traveled expressway route takes more than six to eight hours due to poor road conditions and other unnecessary clutter.

 MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, however, thinks that if only MacArthur Highway, Manila North Road and other laterals connecting both roads were cleared of makeshift shanties of illegal vendors and informal settlers and other illegal structures, and subsequent traffic engineering initiatives were put in place, motorists can weave through traffic safely and effortlessly at 80 kilometers per hour to and from Baguio City for only three to four hours instead of the prolonged travel time

          Fernando has just gone back over the weekend from Baguio City where he was the guest speaker of a Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) leadership workshop and conducted a two-day planning session with his staff on pending and future Metro Gwapo physical change and social reorientation projects of the agency until 2010. TI has been inviting prominent government officials and those from the private sector with proven track records on leadership and had propelled their agencies to success and greatness.

He told human resource managers gathered at the TI plant on Loakan Road that he intends to extend the MMDA’s traffic management authority to the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac and Pangasinan to help solve the traffic gridlock problems in their jurisdictions.

The MMDA extended recently its traffic management duties to roads leading to Bacoor, Cavite and Laguna as offshoot to President’s directive to help solve traffic problems in these provinces. Tanauan City in Batangas, Obando in Bulacan and Rosales in Pangasinan have followed suit.

During his journey to Baguio, Fernando saw for himself the deteriorating traffic conditions on MacArthur Highway from Bulacan to Pangasinan where traffic is chaotic particularly in the town proper and shanties of vendors, illegally parked vehicles and informal settlers abound on the roadways, including rows of trees that obstruct the view of motorists and the landscape.

          The MMDA chief said the agency will initially assess the traffic conditions in the four provinces where motorists traverse going to and from Baguio City and come up with traffic improvement studies and strategies to be submitted to President Arroyo for approval.

          At the same time, Fernando said that after the roads in these provinces were cleared of all forms of obstructions, Baguio farmers and traders can enhance their earning capacity because their vegetables and other farm produce would be able to reach their destinations on time, if not earlier. Shortened travel time also translates into lower vehicle operating costs and lesser fuel consumption, he added.

          MMDA traffic experts would give their counterparts in the said provinces a week-long orientation and training on how to rationalize the use of thoroughfares, traffic enforcement operations and installation of traffic fixtures and signages, among other things.(back to top)

Informal Setllers Along San Juan River

The perennial flooding problem during heavy rains and storms in the cities of San Juan, Quezon, Mandaluyong and Manila will soon be over.

In an inspection tour on board two barges along the nine-kilometer stretch of the San Juan River this morning, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, together with San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito and Q.C. Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, identified some 3,000 informal settler families whose shanties will be covered by a government inter-agency comprehensive relocation and resettlement program to clear the metropolis of illegal structures occupying danger areas such as waterways, roadways and those earmarked for government infrastructure projects.

Fernando said the Inter-Agency Committee on the Relocation of Informal Settlers, composed of local government units, National Housing Authority, MMDA, non-governmental organizations, representatives of the Catholic Church and other government agencies concerned and of which he is the chairman for the National Capital Region, will jointly pool their resources to remove the squatter families along the San Juan River in the next few months and relocate them to Calauan, Laguna and other possible relocation sites.

He said it is high time for government to take action initially on the case of encroachments along the San Juan River which has been heavily choked by mud and garbage dumped into it by informal settlers thus, causing floods even during intermittent rains only.

“ Aside from the fact that these families have no right to occupy the waterways, our primordial concern here is to take them away from these areas that pose danger to their lives,” he said.

Fernando also said the government’s drive to clear waterways and roadways of illegal structures will spare no one, not even the rich nor the poor.

In the case of the 3,000 affected families along the San Juan River, the MMDA chief assured a smooth, orderly and humane relocation and resettlement for them when the right time comes. (bact to top)

City Bus Operators Laud Automated Organized Bus Route System

Legitimate city bus operators today expressed relief that their rival colorums and out-of-line buses will be weeded out once the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) implements its fully automated Organized Bus Route (OBR) system in November this year.

 MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno yesterday gathered 60 bus owners and operators in Metro Manila in a meeting to present to them to get their consensus on the automated OBR system that will ensure strict regulation and enforcement of traffic rules relative to city bus operations and unified dispatch at bus terminals.

During the meeting, the operators were glad to receive the news that the MMDA is set to implement the enhanced system in November because they said colorum buses, their competitor in business, will surely be identified and apprehended because they cannot pass through designated terminals and check points anymore.

“For so long those colorums and out-of-line buses have been giving us a run of our business doing trip-cutting and other malpractices. Finally, the long arm of the law will catch them,” said Marikina Auto Line operator Arturo Nacion.

The operators, however, were apprehensive that the new system might be like the Non-Contact Apprehension policy whereby driver violators are randomly clicked away through a hidden camera then a citation ticket is sent to them.

But Nacianceno assuaged their fears saying the enhanced OBR is fool-proof and will employ the appropriate information and communications (IC) and radio frequency identification technologies (RFID) to track each one of the buses plying Edsa and other major thoroughfares.

“We have procured cutting-edge gadgets and equipment that cannot be circumvented nor tampered with for us to be able to exercise more effective controls over buses and drivers,” Nacianceno told the bus operators.

The MMDA has slated subsequent dialogues with the same operators with the operators to further acquaint them on traffic violations and the parameters and rudiments of the new scheme.

Under the enhanced and fully automated OBR, dispatch of buses will be according to demand. ICT and RFID chips and equipment will be installed in bus terminals, control stations and bus stops to ensure the controlled dispatch of some 3,000 buses plying 25 routes in Northern and Southern Metro Manila.

Using a fully automated OBR system, current manual components such as bar-coded cue cards will be replaced by RFID tags that will easily identify colorum buses from the rest.

The OBR system was implemented in 2003 so that only an appropriate number of buses are fielded per route to prevent congestion along major routes and long queues at bus stops due to the oversupply of buses at certain periods of the day. (back to top)

Flood Free In Metro Manila Next Year

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando today said the public can expect a flood-free Metro Manila when the Camanava Flood Control projects and  the new West Manggahan pumping station would become operational next year.

At the same time, the MMDA chief attributed the fast recession of flash floods brought about by continued rains of Typhoon Chedeng last Thursday to the relentless flood mitigating measures such as cleaning and clearing of illegal settlers undertaken by the agency along waterways and other danger areas in Metro Manila.

Fernando disclosed that operation of the West Manggahan pumping station at the boundary of Taytay and Cainta and the Camanava Flood Control projects that include pumping stations and dikes will soon be turned over by the Department of Public Works and Highways to the MMDA which has a bigger number of flood control personnel to operate the same.

According to him, the West Manggahan pumping station which is fully equipped with four huge mechanical pumps can very well service the areas of Taytay. Cainta, Taguig,Pateros and Pasig  and other eastern towns to collect garbage indiscriminately dumped into the waterways and keep the water current flowing to main tributaries to ensure that floods in Metro Manila quickly recede.

On the other hand, he said the Camanava Flood Control projects are underway with the Spine pumping station to be completed next year along with the Catmon and Bangkulasi pumping stations in Malabon and Navotas, respectively. 

In another development, Chairman Fernando, reacting to brick-bats thrown his way regarding his proposal to arm more than 2,000 MMDA traffic enforcers while in duty, said he has not received as of yet any communications nor directive from Malacanang blocking such plan.

Earlier reports said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita had junked the proposal and sided with the contention of the Philippine National Police that arming the enforcers with bolos is not necessary to effectively manage traffic in the metropolis.

Fernando stressed that arming enforcers with bolos is not meant to scare away people but as a means of protection from crazy motorists, extortionists and abusive barkers who often threaten them with their icepicks and other bladed instruments when accosted after flagrantly committing traffic violations.

“ My idea equipping our men with bolos is similar to the rationale of the PNP in issuing firearms to its personnel. In the case of our enforcers, they are stationed in many areas where there is no police visibility at all,” he said. (back to top)