Carlos to next MMDA Chief: ‘Be patient in dealing with agency’s concerns’

Carlos (second from right) said the next MMDA chief must work patiently with the agency’s personnel who are knowledgeable in terms of traffic management in order to come up with efforts to curb traffic congestion in the metropolis. (Photo: MMDA’s website)

MANILA – Metropolitan Manila Development Auhtority (MMDA) Chairman Emerson Carlos advised his would-be successor to have patience in dealing with the matters handled by the agency.

In particular, Carlos said the next MMDA chief must work patiently with the agency’s personnel who are knowledgeable in terms of traffic management in order to come up with efforts to curb traffic congestion in the metropolis.

He said that the incoming MMDA Chairman will be confronting 3 million vehicles in Metro Manila, ongoing infrastructure projects and the effects of La Niña.

“Patience of course, it will help yung mga MMDA personnel na naiwan natin competent should be trusted and dahil alam na nila yung data nila just hear there voices and listen to them dahil they seen almost everything and they try almost everything so yung institutional knowledge and historical background napaka importante,” Carlos told reporters.

“Dito sa Pilipinas, lahat tayo traffic expert kahit di ka marunong mgdrive magaling mgpuna ng traffic so sino talaga ang pakinggan yung mga traffic engineer the people who have been there manning the field sila ang pakinggan… Marami nagtext or thru social media how to solve the traffic pag binabasa nila nito nagawa na nito may effect nito these expert alam na nila yan,” he added.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has not yet announced Carlos’ successor in the agency.

When asked on what to do in case President Duterte wants to reatin him as MMDA Chief, Carlos said “I will ask my family first hindi lang naman ako at ready na ang pamilya ko (for my) homecoming and my term ends is June 30 by that day baba na talaga ako pero kanino itransfer magkakaroon ng vacant unless may mag OIC I’m ready for the transition pero walang pag transitionan.”

Earlier, Carlos said they are ready to provide the program and plans of the agency to Duterte’s transition team.

“Ipakikita namin sa transition team ang mga programs and plans of the MMDA as well as the ongoing projects and pending issues to guide the next leadership of the agency,” Carlos said.

Carlos also said the transition team should focus on the preparations for the rainy season and the ongoing infrastructure projects in Metro Manila.

Aside from him, two other MMDA officials are set to step down from their positions – MMDA General Manager Corazon Jimenez and Assistant General Manager for Finance Edenison Faizan.

The MMDA chief added that the incoming MMDA officials should also focus on flood control, cleaning of esteros, upgrading the pumping stations and continuing the implementation of the ‘no contact apprehension policy.’