“Back to basics” will be the mantra of newly-appointed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim for unsnarling the convoluted traffic jams related transport problems in the metropolis as he assumed office Tuesday.
Lim said he wants to shun “fancy solutions, complicated and fancy schemes.”
“Effective implementation and enforcement of the basic rules is the key, whether it’s the disposition of motor vehicles or street vendors or pedestrians. Where they are not supposed to be there, they should not be there. Basic implementation, basic courtesy, let’s develop a culture of discipline.”
Lim, a retired Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, intends to eradicate corruption in the agency by instilling and implementing strict discipline among its employees.
“I ask for the support and cooperation of everybody. I did not come here to make anybody’s life difficult. Let’s all work together for a better Metro Manila,” Lim said during an initial meeting with MMDA officials and directors. There was no official turnover ceremony as the post of chairman was vacant.
On his first day of work, Lim ordered an audit of all existing equipment, vehicles, and personnel of the agency. He said he would also look into previous contracts and other transactions that the agency has entered into.
He will initially concentrate on Metro Manila’s traffic problems, and see to it that the laws are being enforced strictly by the traffic enforcers.
“By going back to basics I meant strict adherence to our existing laws, practicing a culture of discipline, road courtesy, and changing the habits of the people,” he said.