Abalos calls for strengthening of MMDA

Faced with recent challenges to the mandate of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. made a call to strengthen the functions of the Authority.

Abalos, with the support of a number of Metro Manila mayors agreed that the powers of the MMDA should be increased for it to effectively perform its functions.

Two separate challenges have been made against the MMDA by the local governments of Makati City and Quezon City.

Mayors Jejomar Binay of Makati and Feliciano Belmonte Jr. of Quezon City have announced their decision to cease annual contributions to the MMDA because of the Authority’s failure to provide a disposal site for garbage.

The two LGUSs have decided to withhold their respective contributions of five percent of their annual revenue to the MMDA because of the MMDA’s reported shortcomings.

Binay, even when he was still chairman of the MMDA, was strongly pushing for a conditional abolition of the MMDA with the country’s legislators.

He pointed out that the MMDA should be abolished if Congress fails to provide it with additional powers.

During his term, Binay was faced with several problems on the enforcement of MMDA initiatives on traffic and solid waste management.

Efforts of the MMDA to provide a landfill for Metro Manila were negated because of the Authority’s inability to effectively impose its decisions.

Abalos agreed that there should be an amendment in the charter of the MMDA in order for it to effectively legislate and enforce ordinances.

He said that he would push the proposal before Congress.

Even the Asian Development Bank has noted in its Country Environmental Policy Integration Study that the operational and resources structure of the MMDA is weak.

"Its authority for imposing regional strategies and solutions is limited and the role of the MMDA in relation to national agencies and LGUs is not clear," the study noted.

The ADB stressed that there should be a clear definition and harmonization of the authority, mandates and responsibilities of the MMDA in relation to the LGUs and the central government agencies.

It also recommended the strengthening of the capacity of the MMDA in its planning and implementation of urban service, waste management, environmental and health monitoring, housing and land use policies. – Marvin Sy