MMDA Chairman Romando Artes (Photo courtesy of MMDA)
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed lawyer Romando Artes as the new chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The MMDA, in a statement Friday, said Artes’ appointment is effective March 1.
Artes replaced Benhur Abalos after the former Mandaluyong City mayor resigned to work as the national campaign manager of presidential candidate and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“It is an honor to be appointed as the MMDA Chairman. The agency has been my home for the past five years—from the term of the late Chairman Danilo Lim and later under Chairman Abalos,” said Artes.
“I will continue to work for the completion of the projects and programs needed and pursuant to our mandates—traffic, solid waste and flood management, urban renewal, public safety among others and the equally important COVID-19 vaccination as we transition to the new normal,” he added.
Artes, who is also a Certified Public Accountant, first served as the MMDA’s Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration in May 2017 and later as the agency’s General Manager in November 2021.
Artes graduated from then San Beda College (now San Beda University) with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accountancy in 1993. He also obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the same university in 1998 and passed the Bar examination in the same year.
Meanwhile, MMDA Undersecretary Frisco San Juan Jr. was also appointed as the MMDA’s General Manager concurrent to being the agency’s deputy chairman.
San Juan vows to assist Artes in formulating projects, resolutions and regulations that will benefit Metro Manila and its residents.