ALL is well that ends well.
This, according to Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, is how the conflict between the Manila local government unit (LGU) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was resolved, with regard to clearing operations in streets that fall under the LGU’s jurisdiction.
Lacuna welcomed the development and thanked third district Representative Joel Chua, whose immediate action on the matter, along with Rep. Rolan Valeriano (2nd district), led to the swift resolution of the matter.
It will be recalled that Rep. Chua went to the extent of seeking the MMDA’s abolition for encroaching on the city’s jurisdiction.
Speaking at the “MACHRA’s Balitaan sa Harbour View” hosted by the Manila City Hall Reporters’ Association, Chua said that the matter was resolved after the MMDA finally acknowledged where its authority ends.
It will be recalled that Chua, who is also a lawyer, chided the MMDA for conducting clearing operations even in areas that are not classified as ‘Mabuhay Lanes.’
At one time, he and Rep. Valeriano even rushed to the aide of complaining barangay officials and residents of Fugoso and Natividad Streets in the city’s third district, after the MMDA conducted clearing operations in the said area, to the point of taking even scaffoldings and Grab motorcycles delivering food in the area.
The incident went viral and was followed by a Congressional hearing on the matter.
Chua said that due to subsequent talks, the MMDA and the city government have now identified the areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the authority and the local government so that the delineations of functions are now clear.
He stressed that the MMDA’s mandate is just a coordinating body while the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) which also does clearing operations, is directly under the LGU and is vested with local authority on the matter.
