More elbow room for MMDA’s Bayani

Being in-charge of the National Capital Regional (NCR) office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) gives Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando more elbow room in implementing the agency’s controversial projects such as the sidewalk clearing operation and anti-illegal vendors campaign.

"Mapagtutulung-tulungan na iyan," Fernando said, referring to the projects of the MMDA and the DPWH.

Fernando said the MMDA’s program to clear the roads of obstructions to ease traffic congestion goes hand-in-hand with the infrastructure projects of the DPWH for Metro Manila.

Fernando has been severely criticized for his radical ideas. Apart from "returning the roads" to motorists and pedestrians, Fernando implemented the clearway or U-turn scheme to achieve continuous traffic flow in major thoroughfares.

Motorists and critics, including government officials, complained that Fernando’s projects are anti-poor and cause inconvenience to the public. But the MMDA chief has only brushed aside the criticism.

At the first "Pulong Bayan" (town hall meeting) in Parañaque City last Wednesday, President Arroyo announced that she was giving Fernando control and supervisory powers over the DPWH-NCR in response to the concerns raised by homeowners about the serious traffic congestion in the city.

Heavy traffic is a problem throughout Metro Manila aggravated by on going DPWH projects.

Fernando expressed hope that with the President’s reiteration of his job to supervise the infrastructure projects he and other government agencies will be able to implement better urban planning for the metropolis.

Fernando said his task, which was given to him by the President two years ago, is "best for the coordination of agencies involved in projects for them to determine priorities."

"This is not new. The President did this to solve the lack of coordination among agencies," he said.

Fernando added that several infrastructure projects are already lined-up, such as the rehabilitation of the major highways in Metro Manila such as EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, R-10, and Osmeña Highway.