To achieve order and harmony in the metropolis, newly-appointed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. underscored the need to have a “coordinated” urban planning among Metro Manila mayors.
Abalos, who met with the MMDA directors on Tuesday, also stressed that the right attitude and discipline will contribute to achieve an orderly environment.
“Maski anong ganda ng plano, maski gaano kagaling ang lider, ang pinaka importante ay attitude ng bawat mamamayan. Isipin mo kung lahat lang disiplinado, lahat ay responsable ‘yan ang solusyon [No matter how great the plan is, how good is the leader, what is important is the attitude of the people. Come to think of it, if all are responsible, that is the solution that we need],” Abalos, who is also the former mayor of Mandaluyong City, said.
Policies and programs
Abalos said that the policies and programs under the late MMDA chairman Danilo Lim are commendable.
“Do not ever rest on your laurels, whatever it is that we have right now, kung maganda naman [if it is okay] why do we have to reinvent the wheel? Let’s continue with the policies. Kung kulang pagandahin [if we need to make it better let’s improve it],”he said.
He said that he already asked for a report covering all the projects of the agency.
He also vowed to do his best to improve further the service of the agency.
Solving traffic problem
Abalos said that among the problems that he will try to address is the worsening traffic problem in the metropolis.
According to the recent Numbeo report, the Philippines has the worst traffic situation among six Southeast Asian countries. The country is also ranked 9th worst in the world.
Abalos cited factors affecting traffic: number of vehicles, population, mass transport system, and the roads.
He said that project of San Miguel Corporation president and COO Ramon Ang – the Skyway Stage 3 elevated tollway that links the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the South Luzon Expressway, would be a big help to alleviate traffic congestion.
Bus, motorcycle, and bike lanes in Edsa
He added that he would meet with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and the Highway Patrol Group and discuss plans on improving the designated lanes in Edsa for buses, motorcycles, and bicycles.
“Kailangan natin ang tulong ng DOTr [Department of Transportation] kasi ito ay kanilang project at kami ay nag-aasist lamang [We need the help of the Department of Transportation here because this is their project and we are just assisting them],” he stressed adding that he mulls of putting an elevated bus routes along Edsa.
He also stressed that the convenience of commuters is also important.
“Sana ang mga escalator, elevator gumana lahat ‘yan [I hope that the escalators, elevators are all operational,” he said.
If Edsa will already be decongested, he said that it would be ideal to designate a motorcycle lane on the right of Edsa where it would be safer for them, “and later why not a bicycle lane?”
“Ayoko mangako sa ngayon[I don’t want to promise anything for now],” Abalos said but stressed that these are all what he plans to propose when he talk to Tugade on Wednesday (January 13).
Elevated pedestrian lane
” I read that there was a plan for a pedestrian overpass. I love walking here or in other countries. In fact, I run almost six kilometers everyday,i like it when I sweat. If we can do this the the whole of the metropolis, this is a big thing,” he said.
The plan of the DOTr on elevated pedestrian lane is very laudable.
“I will follow this up with Secretary Tugade,” he said referring to the covered designated space on the roadway for exclusive use of pedestrians.
“You will not have a problem even if it is too hot or it is raining. This should be harmonized. Again, this needs coordination not only with MMDA, together with other agencies, but most importantly, my bosses- the mayors of Metro Manila,” he furthered. He plans go meet the Metro Manila mayors within this week.
However, Abalos reiterated that there should be good attitude and discipline of the or else the labor of the government will be futile.
“All that we have to do, be it transportation, be it flooding, be it traffic, be it dumping of garbage…. even this Covid [situation] … the attitude of our people is very important,” he concluded.
Oath taking
Abalos, took his oath before President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in Malacañang on Monday.
Abalos will now face his new challenge as the chairman of MMDA, a position that his father, Benjamin Sr., also held from 2001 to 2002.
A multi-awarded public servant, Abalos, is ready to share his leadership skills to the said agency carrying with him 15 years of experience as former mayor of Mandaluyong City, from 1998 to 2004 and from 2007 to 2016, and as the city’s lone representative in Congress from 2004 to 2007.
Abalos was instrumental in turning Mandaluyong City into one of the country’s highly urbanized cities by introducing various innovative public services and private partnerships. These helped the city gain recognition as the “New Tiger City of the country” and the second Most Vibrant City Economy in the Philippines by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Asian Institute of Management, and the SGV Policy Center in 2002.
Abalos gained recognition as a Galing Pook Awardee in 2012. One of the programs, Project TEACH, also awarded Abalos the United Nations Public Service Award in 2015. He is one of the two local government officials in the country to have received the award so far.
During his term as city mayor, Abalos was given several awards as outstanding city mayor, including the 2003 Local Government Leadership Award (LGLA), Senate of the Philippines. He was also the former president of both the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP). Abalos became the first local chief executive in the country to hold both positions simultaneously from 2007 to 2010 during his term.
Under his leadership, Abalos brought to the city two consecutive Seal of Good Local Governance awards in 2015 and 2016, along with several consecutive Nutrition Honor Awards from 2010 until 2016. He then received the Presidential Award for Most Child Friendly City in the Philippines (Highly Urbanized City Category) in 2011, the 2014 the Exemplary Humanitarian Service Award & Champion Activist of Children’s Right and Welfare, and later the Seal of Child Friendly Local Governance in 2016.
Abalos similarly gained the Communication Excellence in Organizations (CEO EXCEL) Award in 2015 and was recognized in 2017 by the International Finance Corporation as the Pioneering Leader in Green Building Program.
After finishing his term as mayor, Abalos continued to share his knowledge and experiences in politics and leadership to the youth as a lecturer in the University of the Philippines – National College of Public Administration and Governance, the Development Academy of the Philippines, the Local Government Academy, and at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde.
Abalos came up with the slogan “Gawa Hindi Salita” that represents his willingness to serve and teach his skills by implementing innovative public services and programs which he aims to do at the MMDA under his leadership.
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