Metropolitan governance described as ‘confused’

The governance in Metro Manila is neither in the pink of health nor in the brink of collapse, but could be described as "confused" with the so many interpretations of the law that had created the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

During the 7th Diliman Governance Forum at the University of the Philippines yesterday, no less than MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando acceded that Republic Act 7924, which created the governing body for metropolitan services in the metropolis, is subject to many interpretations that might have been causing the confusion.

"It is up to Congress to review or fix the charter and determine whether the MMDA needs more power or should be abolished," he said.

However, the MMDA chief maintained that Metro Manila "still needs this agency at this point," when garbage and traffic remains remain major problem in the metropolis.

Fernando said he still believes that Metro Manila, through the MMDA, will one day achieve its goal to be in the "pink of health."

"If mayors can represent the sentiments of their constituents and create a regulation or rule for the whole of the metropolis, which would balance the interest of the communities within, it would be more practical and systematic way of doing things," Fernando noted. "Because, as with man, no city is an island," he added.

However, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, who often opposes MMDA policies, could not help but refute Fernando on his claim that metropolitan governance in the country was "in the brink of collapse, even almost collapsing."

According to Binay, the deteriorating state of metropolitan governance today is due to the laws involved, including the creation of the MMDA and those concerning the autonomy of the local government units (LGUs) and the present organization of the MMDA.

Binay stressed that metropolitan services, which the MMDA must implement, should first be specifically described to determine the clear jurisdiction of the agency.

The MMDA chief and several Metro mayors, particularly Binay, have clashed on numerous issues, including the administration of traffic regulations. Binay has asserted the autonomy of Makati City and, as a result, the local government has taken charge of traffic regulations on national roads in the city.

"The lack of definition of metropolitan services is among the reasons for the problem. I would not mind if it concerns EDSA, because EDSA is from Quezon City to Pasay. But with national roads, it is within the city, within the local government," Binay pointed out. "In fact, now there is no problem even if each city has its own traffic regulation or ordinances."

The mayor is also opposed to the MMDA’s authority to enact ordinances and exercise police powers.

He noted that not a syllable in the charter creating the MMDA states that the MMDA has such powers.

Binay stressed that the MMDA may only enforce ordinances of a city.

"I fully agree there is a need for a body, but only for purposes of integration and planning, and not for legislation and imposition," said the mayor, who was the predecessor of Fernando at the MMDA.

Aside from Fernando and Binay, former Senator Joey Lina and former First Lady Imelda Marcos were among the panelists in the forum.

Lina was governor of the Metro Manila Commission from 1986 to 1987, while Marcos was governor from 1975 to 1986.

"Metro Manila is in a state of confusion," Lina said. "There is an urgent, logical need for a body that should coordinate, plan, and implement services after cities and towns were metropolized."

"The Supreme Court and Congress should make the law clearer so there’s no room for further confusion," he added.