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Manila Congressman Calls for Abolition of MMDA
Cong. Joel Chua. Screengrab from House of Representatives of the Philippines
Manila (Third District) Representative Joel R. Chua has called for the abolition of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Chua made his announcement in a privilege speech on February 27, arguing that the MMDA has encroached upon the jurisdiction of local government units and national government agencies, violated the Local Government Code, duplicated the roles of national agencies, has become a bloated bureaucracy, and wasted billions in public funds from projects not implemented.
Chua proposed that what would remain is a council of mayors of the National Capital Region supported by a small secretariat. He also suggested that the dismantling of the MMDA would align with the current Marcos administration's National Government Rightsizing Program. The council of NCR mayors could have some of their decisions ratified by the legislative councils in NCR to have legislative character and effect, Chua said.
The congressman also noted that the MMDA’s roles and functions should be farmed out to national government agencies and the LGUs within NCR. For example, development planning should be returned to the National Economic and Development Authority, while transport and traffic management should be returned to the Department of Transportation (DOTR) Land Transportation office. The authority for traffic law enforcement should be given to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group, and border checkpoints around Metro Manila should be handled by the PNP.
Solid waste disposal and management, sanitation, pollution control, and flood control should be under the control of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Sewerage management and sanitation should be under the MWSS Regulatory Office and assigned to Maynilad and Manila Water. Urban renewal, zoning and land use planning, and shelter services should be the responsibility of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. Public health should be under the Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development, while public safety should be handled by the LGUs of NCR.
Chua also pointed out how the MMDA bureaucracy has grown from 6,812 in 2011 to 9,767 in 2021 and that its total annual budget of about P10 billion from GAA and local sources is much larger than most budgets of national departments.
Chua made his announcement in a privilege speech on February 27, arguing that the MMDA has encroached upon the jurisdiction of local government units and national government agencies, violated the Local Government Code, duplicated the roles of national agencies, has become a bloated bureaucracy, and wasted billions in public funds from projects not implemented.
Chua proposed that what would remain is a council of mayors of the National Capital Region supported by a small secretariat. He also suggested that the dismantling of the MMDA would align with the current Marcos administration's National Government Rightsizing Program. The council of NCR mayors could have some of their decisions ratified by the legislative councils in NCR to have legislative character and effect, Chua said.
The congressman also noted that the MMDA’s roles and functions should be farmed out to national government agencies and the LGUs within NCR. For example, development planning should be returned to the National Economic and Development Authority, while transport and traffic management should be returned to the Department of Transportation (DOTR) Land Transportation office. The authority for traffic law enforcement should be given to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Highway Patrol Group, and border checkpoints around Metro Manila should be handled by the PNP.
Solid waste disposal and management, sanitation, pollution control, and flood control should be under the control of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Sewerage management and sanitation should be under the MWSS Regulatory Office and assigned to Maynilad and Manila Water. Urban renewal, zoning and land use planning, and shelter services should be the responsibility of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. Public health should be under the Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development, while public safety should be handled by the LGUs of NCR.
Chua also pointed out how the MMDA bureaucracy has grown from 6,812 in 2011 to 9,767 in 2021 and that its total annual budget of about P10 billion from GAA and local sources is much larger than most budgets of national departments.
Mar 1, 2023
