Outgoing chairman of the Metro Manila Development Committee at the House of Representatives Winnie Castelo has recommended that the chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) should have a fixed term of office.
“The MMDA is no longer a coordinating body of the 17 cities and towns, as originally conceived and planned by authors of the law that created this body. It has become a super body,” Castelo said in a statement.
“Its functions are so important because they involve management of traffic operations, flood control, and garbage collection, just to mention the major ones, in 16 cities and a single town comprising Metro Manila,” he added.
“The proposed fixed term of office would enable the MMDA chair to concentrate on his job.”
Castelo also said the MMDA chairman should be a full time executive with a definite term of office.
“Based on the discussions we have had in the committee, the MMDA needs a full time executive, who has a definite term of office like those officials named to the Monetary Board, Government Service Insurance System, and other government owned and controlled corporations,” Castelo said.
Castelo did not provide what should be the length of term of office for the MMDA chair, but indicated that this is a matter that should be taken up by the next Congress.
“It could ensure continuity of policies and bureaucratic stability, to ensure the operations of the MMDA.”
“The public hearings that will be held would determine how many years would be appropriate for an MMDA chair,”Castelo said.
Moreover, the Quezon City Representative added, “The proposed fixed term of office would enable the MMDA chair to concentrate on his job without fear of political pressures and reprisals and bureaucratic interference. It could ensure continuity of policies and bureaucratic stability, to ensure the operations of the MMDA.”