Metro’s half-naked ‘machos’ be warned

Display a naked chest while walking along the investors’ route and face the wrath of the state for your machismo.

This was the warning Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando issued yesterday to the hard-headed "macho men" of the cities of Parañaque, Makati and Manila who indulge in their bad habit of walking half-naked along side streets, particularly those lining the so-called "investor’s route."

He said persons who will sabotage the multimillion-peso project, intentionally or unintentionally, will suffer the consequences of their actions. Such sabotage includes walking about half-naked in public, engaging in drinking sprees on sidewalks and hanging laundry out to dry in full view of passersby.

Fernando said men caught walking in public places without shirts will be apprehended and fined.

The MMDA has been tasked to implement the national government’s "investor’s route" project which calls for the beautification of Metro Manila’s main thoroughfares.

Roads in Parañaque, Manila and Makati will undergo a major facelift in an effort to make the metropolis more inviting to tourists and foreign investors.

Fernando said President Arroyo has ordered the MMDA to implement the upgrading and beautification of the "investor’s route," a project that will cost P100 million.

He said some 48.7 kilometers of road leading to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will be improved and beautified.

Fernando said areas of concern include main thoroughfares in Parañaque — the MIA and Domestic Roads and Roxas and Macapagal Boulevards.

In Manila, the routes of P. Burgos street to Nagtahan Road, Qurino Avenue to the Osmeña Highway and Buendia Avenue to Lawton Avenue will undergo facelifts and upgrading.

The MMDA will lead the repair and installation of new street and traffic lights, emergency bays, clean drainage systems, clear the roadsides of illegal structures and "taong grasa" or dirty, homeless people.

"We were ordered to work on this and finish substantial work at least on or before Christmas. We should already have begun the work but, actually, this can be completed in three months," Fernando said.

According to him the new project springs from the MMDA’s "Pook na Bulok, Negosyo ’di Papasok (Business Will Not Enter a Rotten Place)" program, which he said was a success.

Fernando said the agency will work together with local mayors of respective cities and municipalities for a coordinated effort to make Metro Manila shine.

The MMDA needs the cooperation of the public for the "investor’s route" project to succeed, Fernando says, citing what he calls the "people factor."

Tourists and investors will be discouraged if they see half-naked men walking in public places as if they were just strolling in their own backyards, Fernando said.

"All we ask of our gentlemen is (for them) to be gentlemen," Fernando said. "Dress appropriately in public places. Be presentable. Look good so Metro Manila will look good."

The MMDA will also be strict in enforcing sanctions against people who engage in drinking sprees on the sidewalks as well as those who hang clothes to dry in public view.

Fernando said seeing such things will not impress tourists or investors who may want to set up shop in the country.