MMDA stops costly, 'ineffective' radio, TV broadcasts

MANILA, Philippines – Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino ordered yesterday the termination of the MMDA’s radio and television broadcasts to comply with the government’s austerity measures.

From 2008 until yesterday, the MMDA kept 24-hour broadcasts over AM radio (1206 kilohertz) and over Channel 4 of Destiny Cable.

According to Tolentino, the broadcasts – a brainchild of former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando – are costing the MMDA P1 million per month but have not been “able to reach out effectively to the public in terms of information dissemination.”

Prior to its termination, MMDA RTV gave round-the-clock traffic updates, important public announcements, and featured the 17 local government units of Metro Manila.

“There are more necessary projects that would yield invaluable results for which we could spend the money,” Tolentino said.

Tolentino said the MMDA will instead tie up with government television network NBN-4 for information dissemination.

In addition, Tolentino said the MMDA will also exploit the potentials of the Internet for the same purpose, such as tapping Facebook and Twitter. This, he said, will not entail additional costs for the agency.

The MMDA currently maintains a Facebook account and also a Twitter page where it sends out traffic updates and where motorists can posts their inquiries.