MMDA budget approved without cuts

Congress has approved the proposed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) budget for this year without question and without any cuts.

The agency was granted P1.095 billion, which will be used to finance new projects, improve existing ones and compensate manpower.

Some P487 million will go to waste disposal, P298 million to flood control, P177 million to traffic management while the rest goes to foreign-assisted projects and programs.

MMDA assistant general manager for finance Edenison Fainsan said the proposed budget was approved without any opposition.

"We, including Chairman Bayani Fernando, are happy with the outcome of the budget hearing last Tuesday night since there was no opposition from the congressmen when we presented the agency’s 2006 budget," he said.

Fainsan said it was smooth sailing, especially for their boss, since the congressmen asked only a few questions.

"Unlike previous budget hearings, specifically last 2004, when Chairman Fernando was grilled, it was really smooth sailing," he said.

Fainsan said this year’s approved budget a little higher compared to the P1.086 budget given to the agency in 2005.