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Get involved, MMDA asks public

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Get involved by taking a more active role in solving problems.

This was the message aired by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino to the public Sunday as he said that people should stop hiding behind text messages sent anonymously to authorities to express their gripes against the proliferation of illegal terminals, stalls and other illegal activities in the metropolis.

“My appeal to people who complain, especially those who call our attention at the MMDA, you should also help us in bringing order to the metropolis,” Tolentino said in a radio interview. “Why won’t you help us?”

He was referring to the various complaints sent to the agency, including the illegal transport terminal situated in the Guadalupe area in Makati City.

Last week, the agency tried implementing a new traffic scheme in the area to decongest traffic only to be met with opposition from barangay (village) officials.

A watchman from Barangay Guadalupe Nuevo even accused Tolentino of hitting him during a confrontation last Tuesday, a charge vehemently denied by the MMDA chairman.

According to Tolentino, traffic flow in the area gradually improved after the MMDA implemented a new traffic scheme which bars passenger jeepneys from using EDSA.

“I hope the public will help us. I think that citizen action will make [a bigger] impact,” he said.

He pointed out that barangay officials should be the one to act on residents’ complaints and if there are no changes, they should take action themselves.

If residents in an area were to band together to achieve a common goal, there would be fewer problems, Tolentino added.


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Tags: Francis Tolentino , Metro Manila , MMDA , traffic

  • randyaltarejos

    MMDA chair Francis Tolentino’s call for the public to help in easing traffic gridlocks in Metro Manila is easy to achieve, if only people will cooperate. But tipsters should not be cowed to come out in the open for security reasons. It is enough that the MMDA or the police should immediately act to whatever tips are given to the authorities, without revealing the names or identities of the tipsters. Acting on the problems is more important than asking the tipsters to come out in the open.

  • KuyaFrank

    Many delays are caused by stupidity.

    Like pedecabs and motorcycles riding against the traffic on the wrong side of the road.

    Like on Pedro Gil and Angel Linao junction in Paco. Jeepneys emerge from Angel Linao and turn left. They then turn left at the next junction at Singalong. If the traffic flow was reversed so that Jeepneys emerged from Singalong and turned into Angel Linao, there would be hardly any delay. 

    Like on Pedro Gil and Benitez where traffic uses Benitez to avoid Taft Ave. Block Benitez and reduce delays on Pedro Gil.

  • Pilipinas Blogger

    Dear chairman, 

    Please see for yourself Balintawak area every morning around 5:30-6:30. Your MMDA officers there are assisting the public to get cabs instead of assisting the motorist. The fence you put there has no use. Still, the vendors use EDSA instead of the footbridge. EDSA SHOULD NOT be used as parking area of Balintawak Market.

    Thanks.

  • ulat mulat

    Dekada na po ang tagal ng illegal terminal ng FX sa kanto ng Aurora Blvd. at Arlegui st. itinawag na rin po namin yan sa PNP Traffic subalit wala lang… malinaw po sa amin ang kalye at bangketa kaya ginawa na daanan ng tao at sasakyan pero dito sa manila mas malaki pa ang nagagamit para sa tindahan at paradahan ng mga sasakyan…

  • Loggnat

    He pointed out that barangay officials should be the one to act on residents’ complaints and if there are no changes, they should take action themselves. If residents in an area were to band together to achieve a common goal, there would be fewer problems, Tolentino added. /// What actions does Mr. Tolentino recommends? There is so much the residents can do before they are branded as vigilantes. Mr. Tolentino seems to be insinuating that he cannot keep up or somewhat not capable anymore of doing his job and passing the buck to the residents. He should pass the buck to the local barangay officials and course it through the city hall.

  • pedronimo

    Chairman Tolentino, I sent your office a leller of appeal, through your MMDA agent from the Nova Terminal on Quirino Ave- pleading for the construction of either a short footbridge on Belfast Avenue or a stop light between SM Fairview and Robinsons, The letter got on your desk because it was stamped “received”. The letter was published by the Inquirer. Until now this simple appeal has fallen on your deaf ears and now this headline asking people to get involved, be more active and participate for MMDA? Ano ba ito, lokohan Sir? Self-serving headline news? You have done some good work along improving traffic but for the more important safety of pedestrians, many of whom are students, wala po kayong ginagawa dito along the vicinity of SM Fairview at Robinsons Novaliches, especially on the drop point on Regalado Avenue. Because there are neither stop lights nor foot bridge, pedestrians have to run for their lives or they be run over by indifferent reckless bus and jeepneys. You say get involved? I say do something to protect our lives.

  • Guest

    how can ordinary citizens get involved in solving public problems when the people in the government is not trustworthy?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000112248297 Jojo Palma

    marami pa rin abusado at reckless  na bus driver. mr chairman kung and pangalan ng driver at ng conductor ay naka paskil sa loob (harapan para makita ng pasahero) katabi  ng  cellphone contact nos ng office nyo or incharge sa reckless public vehicles, bus no. and name of bus. baka po maka tulong at matakot na mag abuso mga driver..o conductor….kasi po kung ang texter bababa pa muna at tignan ang bus no..wala pong epekto lalo na kung humaripas ang bastos na driver..



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