MMDA gets nod for ‘Gwapo’ drive

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) unveiled its latest projects that seek to further beautify the metropolis before President Arroyo and her economic team yesterday, receiving a go-signal and at least P1.6 billion in funding for the first year of the program.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, in a press briefing held after a National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Cabinet meeting at the MMDA main office in Makati City said President Arroyo approved most of the proposals they presented.

He explained that the meeting was held at the MMDA office since most of the issues discussed were Metro Manila concerns.

He said the agency’s battle cry for 2006 will be "Metro Gwapo — Looking Forward to a Good Looking Metro Manila." The six-year program is expected to receive a total of P23 billion.

Among those discussed and approved were projects to get street nomads, sidewalk dwellers, and waterway dwellers off the streets; the PGMA Workers Inc; and the Metro Padyakan bike lane project.

Also approved were the Organized Bus Route scheme; the Seven Major Roads project; the C-5/Kalayaan Elevated U-Turn project; the New Modern Southrail; Flood Mitigation; and Metro Safe.

"We want a city in good order which is best described by the word gwapo," Fernando told newsmen as he thanked the President for holding the Cabinet meeting at the MMDA.

"Ang pagparito niya ay pagpapakita ng pagpapahalaga niya sa Metro Manila," he said.

He also expressed gratitude for the support of other Cabinet men who came.

Fernando said 70 percent of the MMDA’s new and continuing projects focus on addressing the needs of the poor.