MMDA chair lauds Cebu solons for traffic plan

CEBU, Philippines- Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino has lauded Cebu lawmakers who are pushing for the creation of a lone traffic management body for the entire Metro Cebu.

Tolentino was in Cebu City last Saturday to speak during the 15th National Convention of Lawyers.

“Dapat cohesive yu’ng Cebu and the adjoining ci-ties and municipalities para isang plano lang for the entire Cebu Metropolitan area,” Tolentino said as he commended lawmakers in Cebu for coming up with the traffic-related plan.

Tolentino vowed to help “metropolitanize” Cebu if asked to address not only traffic problem but also urban governance, flood control, and urban renewal, among other related issues.

Asked if he is running for the Senate in order to help Metro Cebu, Tolentino said the announcement will come in due time, though he was already endorsed by all elected officials in his hometown Ca-vite, regardless of political affiliations.

“Eversince magkakalaban kami ng Remulla family, ngayon, they expressed their support, we thank them,” he said.

Under his mayoral administration in Tagaytay City, Tolentino created the Tagaytay Office of Public Safety, which later became the basis of policies he enforced as chair of the MMDA.

To address the traffic situation in Metro Manila and to offer transportation alternative to the public, Tolentino relaunched the Pasig River Ferry System last April 2014, in coordination with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission and the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Cebu sixth district Representative Gabriel Luis Quisumbing recently filed House Bill No. 5556 or “An Act Creating the Metro Cebu Traffic Management Authority.

The bill seeks to centrally focus on planning and identification of traffic problems and coordinating with the local government units of Metro Cebu for the formulation of programs and projects to be included in a traffic management master plan.

Quisumbing identified the LGUs included in Metro Cebu as the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Danao, Talisay, Naga, Cebu, and Carcar and the municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Cordova, Minglanilla and San Fernando and other cities and municipalities in Cebu province as may later be included by the MCTMA.

In 2013, Cebu City north district Representative Raul del Mar also filed HB 372 or “An Act Creating the Metro Cebu Traffic Authority”, but the bill has remained pending at the House Committee on Transportation.  (FREEMAN)