MMDA still smarting from Bayani’s Quezon fiasco

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has expressed disappointment and remains upset over the rude welcome given to Chairman Bayani Fernando during last Monday’s visit to Lucena, Quezon, where he had intended to inform residents about his proposed solid waste management facility.

Instead of the usual courtesy accorded by the local government to a top government official, Fernando was greeted by an angry group of protesters right at the train station of the Philippine National Railways, where he got off along with members of the media.

Fernando was heckled by protesters as he walked to the center of the town without any escort from local officials or the Lucena police.

As a government official and a member of the President’s Cabinet, Fernando was not accorded the proper courtesy even though local officials all knew about his visit that day, the MMDA said.

Prior to his departure to Lucena, Fernando had been informed that protests were going to be held and that his security could not be guaranteed.

MMDA deputy chairman Cesar Lacuna said Fernando took the threat seriously.

Despite the rude welcome, Fernando proceeded to the Hacienda Inn at the center of the town and presented his proposal to an audience, mostly made up of people against the proposal to set up a landfill facility in the province to accommodate Metro Manila’s garbage.

The MMDA chief said he had to fulfill his duty of finding a site.

Unlike the previous landfill projects implemented by the MMDA, Fernando’s proposal involves the establishment of an industrial complex to be built around the sanitary landfill facility at the center of a 2,000-hectare property.

Fernando said his visit to Quezon, the fourth in the last two months, was made out of sincere belief that the project would benefit both the residents of Metro Manila and Quezon.

Much as he wanted to discuss the project in detail, Fernando was jeered by the emotional crowd that all but signified its disinterest in listening to the proposal.

Before the protesters decided to leave the forum venue, Fernando appealed to them to allow him to depart, minus the treatment given to him when he arrived.

"Pakiusap ko lang sana sa pag-uwi ko ay huwag niyo na ako ihatid at baka isipin pa nga mga taga Metro Manila na ako ay itinataboy ng mga taga-Quezon," Fernando said.

Lacuna said they have information that a significant number of the protesters were organized by certain influential groups operating various businesses in the province.

He pointed out that the groups were probably fearful that the proposed project of the MMDA might affect their businesses and not necessarily the welfare of the residents of Quezon.