Pres. Marcos Jr. appoints Carlo Dimayuga as acting MMDA chief

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has a new chief onboard. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appointed Carlo Dimayuga as the acting MMDA chief, replacing Atty. Romando Artes. 

The MMDA has a new acting chief

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced this during a Palace press briefing. She confirmed that Dimayuga took an oath of office on Wednesday but the Office of the Press Secretary has yet to provide further details about Dimayuga as of this writing. 

The MMDA’s official website and Facebook page have also yet to release a formal announcement regarding its new acting chief.

Dimayuga replaces Artes who former President Rodrigo Duterte appointed. As a review, Duterte placed Artes to be the MMDA chief due to the resignation of Benhur Abalos Jr. to be Marcos Jr.’s campaign manager. 

During his stint as the MMDA chief, Artes made headlines on a number of occasions. One of the well-known proposals raised by Artes is the possibility of expanding the number coding scheme. It was even reported that the proposed two-day number coding was formally submitted for the Metro Manila Council’s approval last April.  

Former MMDA chief Romando Artes (left) signs Memorandum of Agreement with the LTO

It was also during his time that the MMDA announced it has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to establish the LTO-MMDA System Interconnectivity Project. It intends a more seamless data-sharing system between the two government agencies. 

The MMDA is given access to LTO’s Land Transport Management System (LTMS) to check the records within the comprehensive database, allowing for a more efficient way of apprehending traffic violators.

Artes also led the inauguration of MMDA’s e-bike solar charging station, located at the new MMDA head office in Barangay Ugong, Pasig City. The solar charging station is equipped with three solar panels with a built-in inverter, providing a total of six 220V charging outlets. 

MMDA personnel assist with traffic management during the closure of Kamuning southbound flyover

The most recent project that Artes had with the agency involved the closure of the EDSA Kamuning southbound flyover. The flyover was closed due to having large potholes that pose a threat to road safety. The MMDA deployed enforcers to assist with traffic management on EDSA, as repairs to the flyover commence. The EDSA Kamuning southbound flyover is now once again open to the public. 

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