We might have been pointing fingers to this guy for the traffic problems here in Manila. Being the ex-MMDA chairman for 5 years who resigned from his post effective October 7, 2015 Atty. Francis Tolentino do believe that he had done more than what he was ask for.
Tasked to supervise and coordinate Metrowide services of Metro Manila, Tolentino says, MMDA is not just about solving the traffic, there are more than a handful of other tasked assigned and the transportation system in EDSA is just one of it.
“There are a lot of things like red tape and other inter-agency complications. We have to work with the local government, each cities and the LTO and LFTRB among others. Traffic failure isn’t just the failure of MMDA but nevertheless, we tried our best to work with who we need to work with to make things better,” Tolentino said.
True to what he says, Tolentino’s works in the department includes re-initialization of the Pasig ferry transport system, implementation of the bus stop system along EDSA and the integrated bus terminal, and cleaned up flood-prone highways.
He shared this personally in an intimate bloggers event where he also opened up his candidacy for the senatorial race. His top three platforms in the senate would include;
- Creation of Rural Development division
- Philippine Disaster Construction Agency
- Universal Healthcare for the Students
I am not really aware about this information and the fact that aside from being the former MMDA chairman, Tolentino also holds the Mayoral position in one of the country’s top tourist destination – Tagaytay. He was appointed then appointed and elected in that position for three consecutive terms (1995-2004). Some of his works as the Mayor includes founding the City College of Tagaytay, building the Ospital ng Tagaytay, and formed the horse-trained Tagaytay City Mounted Police. Currently, his wife Agnes is running the city.
Our topic jumps from one to another but most of our time was spent listening to his answers about traffic problem questions. His stand about LGBT – equal rights but not in favor of gay marriage, talking about RH bill, he replied
“Yung existing law natin ituloy lang yun, andun nay un eh.”
He got bigger plans concerning the country but I think one cliché question the masses would definitely ask is how would he solve the traffic in Manila if he would be given a chance to sit in the senate?
“Two months after my assumption (MMDA) I was ask what do you intend to do with Metro Manila, I propose to relocate Metro Manila … Because there is no way we can contain and control existing problems in a small area of 6,036 km2. Such as Manila with the present setup … so when we talk about traffic, How can we alleviate the traffic problem if we don’t have a viable transportation system…”
“Given the chance to propose amendments to the MMDA B under MMDA, the regional LTFRB, the regional MTO, MRT and LRT, it would help because we would have one synchronize transport agency dealing with your urban problems.”
Would you vote for Atty. Francis Tolentino in the senatorial race?
Until our next discovery in the City!
またね Mata ne!
