METRO NOT SO "GWAPO" ANYMORE

by Mayte Uyenco

Ever since the new Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority, Oscar Inocentes, was appointed, there has been a very noticeable change around the metro – the blue and pink color scheme is slowly being replaced with a combination of two shades of green.

The reason for this, according to MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno, is to promote environmental awareness. Any corporation or agency would want to reflect its identity which is why the MMDA applies their color scheme on anything related to the projects they have done.

“It tells people the sense and logic behind our projects,” Nacianceno said. It helps people remember what they are trying to achieve and with the many problems of global warming, the MMDA is pushing for a cleaner and greener metro with their new tagline “Metro Green” which replaced “Metro Gwapo.”

It looks as if the only major change of the MMDA will be the color scheme. They will still continue improving the roads and traffic schemes. “The problems are the same and the solutions are always standard.” Nacianceno said.

One of their long-term plans, which will greatly improve the traffic in areas like EDSA and C-5, is the addition of five more bridges that will cross the Pasig River. According to Nacianceno, this will alleviate EDSA of 50% of vehicles. There is a plan for adding a bridge in between the EDSA-Guadalupe and C-5 bridge which leads all the way to Fort Bonifacio. This will make it easier for the residents who live in Loyola Heights or Marikina because there is no need for them to pass through EDSA.

As for the problems that the MMDA is facing, they are still the same: disputes with city governments and the media. There have been some mayors that did not approve of some MMDA projects because they didn’t want a certain portion of land to be used.

The media, on the other hand, gives people the wrong impression about some of their projects. An example of which is the new color scheme which the media presented as their way of showing support for certain presidential candidates. No comment was received about whether the change was the administration's subtle hint of supporting their presidential candidate.

For them, the good news is that more and more young city officials are running for their respective positions. This will make it easier for them to implement their projects because they more or less have the same standards in terms of how to better improve traffic flow and safety.

All plans of MMDA are to push through like the utilization of all roads, improving road safety as well as providing more care for their employees such as giving them a clothing allowance and insurance.

“Chairmen are only appointees chosen by the president, so there will be another new one this coming June.” according to Assistant General Manager, Atty. Emmanuel de Castro. The MMDA has many plans and with over 10 chairmen who have served for the past 20 years and the main task of the MMDA is to continue applying the law and to improve safety and traffic in the metro.

After the many years that the MMDA has served the citizens of Metro Manila they have been getting much attention for the changes they have made. “The most important thing is that our agency completely transformed” Nacianceno said.