MMDA chair from Aquino admin goes back as OIC

BARELY two weeks after leaving office, Emerson Carlos is back as officer in charge of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Carlos, who stepped down as MMDA chair on June 30 to give way to President Duterte’s appointee to the agency, was reassigned to the post as OIC on Friday. In his appointment letter signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Carlos was ordered “to perform the functions of the office and ensure the continuous delivery of public service, until a chairman is appointed.”

From being assistant general manager for operations, Carlos took over the top MMDA post in October last year after it was vacated by Francis Tolentino, who was then running for senator.

Hope Libiran, officer in charge of the MMDA’s public information office, said the agency’s employees and officials didn’t expect Carlos’ return. She noted that during Friday’s flag ceremony, they were only told about a “surprise” and the arrival of someone—who turned out to be Carlos.

Libiran said the MMDA welcomed Carlos’ return, adding the two weeks into the Duterte administration the agency remained under an “inspirational leader.”

Libiran said Carlos had been briefed about the discussions the MMDA had with the Department of Transportation and Communications during the two weeks he was out.

The discussions  tackled the intensification of MMDA’s anti-illegal parking and anti-colorum operations and the creation of a technical working group against smoke belchers, she said. With a report from Arianne Cardiño