Romando Artes appointed as new MMDA chairman

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has a new chief as President Rodrigo Duterte appoints lawyer Romando Artes to replace Benhur Abalos Jr. who resigned last February to campaign for Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. 

New MMDA Chairman Romando Artes

Artes is determined to continue the agency’s projects in Metro Manila such as traffic management, urban renewal, public safety, among others. He is also honored to be given the responsibility as the agency’s new chairman. 

"It is an honor to be appointed as the MMDA Chairman. The agency has been my home for the past five years. I will continue to work for the completion of the projects and programs needed and pursuant to our mandates,” Artes said. 

The new MMDA chief also wants to continue the agency’s COVID-19 vaccination drive as Metro Manila is placed under Alert Level 1. Previously, Artes led the agency’s COVID-19 Committee that managed to inoculate almost all MMDA employees and their immediate families.  

Determined to continue MMDA's projects

Artes first served as the MMDA’s Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration in May 2017 and later on as the agency’s General Manager in November 2021. He graduated from San Beda College with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accountancy in 1993. He also obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the same university in 1998 and passed the bar examinations in the same year.

Last January, the MMDA launched the pilot mobile vaccination drive at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). The goal of the said program is to accommodate more people to have their COVID-19 vaccination doses and booster shots.  

When it comes to the number coding issue, Artes said that there’s no need to expand it just yet. This means that the planned number coding during the morning rush hour is still pending. Artes cited that there were fewer cars along EDSA on the first day of Alert Level 1 as compared to the volume of cars during Alert Level 2. 

A total of 367,535 vehicles were recorded to have traversed EDSA last March 1, which was the first day of implementation of Alert Level 1. The MMDA said that it is lower compared to the 372,528 vehicles recorded during the first day of Alert Level 2.

MMDA General Manager Frisco San Juan Jr.

Meanwhile, MMDA Undersecretary Frisco S. San Juan Jr. was also appointed as General Manager. San Juan expressed that he will assist Artes in formulating projects, resolutions, and regulations that will benefit Metro Manila and its residents. 

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