MMC head Zamora defends MMDA amid calls for abolition

Metro Manila Council president and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora on Wednesday defended the existence of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) after a lawmaker pushed for its abolition.

"I have seen the value of MMDA. I have been mayor for three years," he said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

Zamora said that the local government of San Juan City cannot manage traffic or do flood control on its own, and these tasks are carried out by the MMDA.

"Remember, Metro Manila is so big and we are one metropolis...so tama lang na may one governing body overseeing yung kabuuan ng Metro Manila (it is just appropriate to have a governing body overseeing the entire Metro Manila)," he added.

In February, Manila Representative Joel Chua, in a privilege speech, called for the abolition of the MMDA, saying the agency had no authority to implement policies in local government units (LGUs).

Chua said the MMDA encroached on the jurisdiction of LGUs and national government agencies by conducting home demolitions, clearing roads and sidewalks, and managing and enforcing traffic rules without coordinating with local government officials.

For him, the MMDA’s actions violated the Local Government Code or were a duplication of the roles of other government agencies. —VBL, GMA Integrated News