MMDA, local governments tackle metro’s perennial problems

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government officials in the National Capital Region held a meeting to discuss traffic, flood, and garbage issues.

MMDA General Manager Usec. Procopio Lipana emphasized the importance of closer coordination between the agency and the local governments of Metro Manila for a faster response to the problems now confronting Metro Manila.

Some of the measures that were discussed include immediate reporting and monitoring of flooding, assigning personnel to flood-prone areas for rapid flood subsidence, strengthening the anti-littering law, and submitting a deployment plan apart from the traffic plan whenever there is an adjustment and repair of the main roads.

The meeting also discussed the need for a thorough review before local government units (LGUs) can issue excavation clearances, the use of distributed radios in local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices whenever there is a disaster, trash traps in some waterways, ongoing infrastructure projects that affect traffic, and the proper waste management and composting in public markets.

MMDA chairperson Romando Artes appealed to the public to do their part by managing their garbage properly. He said the trash thrown on the streets clogged the canals, drainage systems, waterways and eventually pumping stations.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. meanwhile expressed gratitude to local government units for supporting President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive to lift the collection of pass-through fees to bring down prices of goods and commodities.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), and the Vice Mayor’s League of the Philippines (VMLP) recently passed resolutions expressing their commitment to comply with Executive Order 41.

“Thank you for your support and solidarity with the order of our President through Executive Order (EO) 41. These resolutions are staunch assurances that we have the support and cooperation of our local government units (LGUs) at the ground in implementing this policy,” Department of the Interior and Local Government