MMDA commends its workers for papal visit success

STILL HANDS-ON The MMDA holds a “boodle fight” with Chair Francis Tolentino and his people on Wednesday to celebrate a job well done during the papal visit. JOAN BONDOC

With a “boodle fight” and the government’s gratitude, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) honored some 2,600 personnel for playing various roles to ensure the success of the recent papal visit, from directing traffic, controlling the crowds to sweeping the streets.

The honorees were so many that the MMDA set several days for the program, starting with Wednesday’s rites that saw an initial batch of 300 traffic constables receiving merit badges and certificates. The second installment for the rest of the workers is set next Monday.

MMDA employees were deployed during the four-day visit of Pope Francis, not just in the capital but also in Tacloban City, where the Pontiff celebrated Mass for the victims of Super Typhoon “Yolanda.”

Except for the stormy weather that cut short the Pope’s itinerary in Tacloban, the historic visit from Jan. 15-19 generally went without a major safety or security issue. About 70 percent of the police in Metro Manila, beefed up by teams from the provinces, were tapped to provide security for the Pope along his motorcade route and venues.

“All those who braved the rains, who did not have enough sleep, who swept the streets, who carried the concrete barriers, all those who managed the traffic from Carigara Highway in Palo, Tacloban, to Taft Avenue, España, Roxas Boulevard, Quirino, Villamor and Andrews, Naia Road (in Metro Manila); we thank all of you,” said MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino. “Thanks to all of you who helped make the Pope’s visit successful.”

The awardees, who gathered in front of the MMDA headquarters in Makati City, were each given a Matapat Merit Badge and a certificate of commendation by Tolentino, who later joined them in a boodle fight or street feast where they ate lunch with their bare hands. Kristine Felisse Mangunay