Tolentino bats for ‘metropolitanization’ of PH regions for disaster preparedness

Former Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino teaches schoolchildren at Pedro E. Diaz High School in Muntinlupa City how to “duck, cover and hold” in case of a strong earthquake. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Independent senatorial candidate and disaster preparedness advocate Francis Tolentino on Sunday called on local government leaders to start the “metropolitanization” of their respective bailiwicks to address concerns in times of natural and man-induced disasters.

By “metropolitanization,” Tolentino explained there is a pressing need “to improve city and provincial structures and infrastructures.”

Tolentino made the same call when he was guest speaker at the recently held Cebu Urban Summit this year.

The former MMDA chief said “sound infrastructures” should withstand the damaging effects of typhoons and earthquake.

“Leaders should be forward looking. A vision, say for the next 10 to 20 years to improve road network, drainage, garbage disposal, and to build
stronger buildings,” he said.

He said future leaders should start conceptualizing modern cities that can address growing population and demands of its populace.

Tolentino emphasized the need for national and local leaders to “think and visualize in one direction to have synchronicity.”

He said leaders like him should set their eyes on good governance which translates into “improving urban structure and land use; urban transport and highways; water supply, disposal management and solid waste management.”

“In other words, dapat maramdaman tayo ng tao,” he said.

Before his stint at the MMDA, Tolentino served as a Mayor of Tagaytay City, one of the top tourist destinations in the country today, from January 1995 to 2004.

During his term as mayor, he began transforming Tagaytay City as the alternative summer capital to Baguio City. He created the Tagaytay Office of Public Safety, which helped him form the policies he implemented as the MMDA Chairman.

Among his other accomplishments as mayor included the founding of the City College of Tagaytay for he believes that learning should not be a one -time event and that it should be a lifelong, continuous activity.

Tolentino also saw to it that the basic health care services are provided to the general public. At present, Tagaytay City has one City Health Center, 34 barangay health centers, two hospitals, 23 medical/dental clinics and 10 drugstores to meet the health and medical needs of the people of Tagaytay.

In year 2010, Tolentino accepted the greatest challenge in his life as President Aquino appointed him as the next MMDA chairman.

Among his achievements in the MMDA includes the first ever online and social media applications of the MMDA like the traffic Monitoring System app and the MMDA Twitter page to address the needs of motorists and commuters .

He also reopened the Pasig River Ferry as an alternate transport system, implemented the Southwest Integrated Provincial Transport System which consolidates all existing 85 bus terminals, upgraded Metro Manila’s flood control system and pumping stations.