Former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino says his long years of experience as local chief executive of Tagaytay City and chairman of MMDA would be more than enough to translate the same into legislations that will spur development in the urban centers.
Tolentino told local media men during his visit to Dumaguete this week that he can do a lot of things through legislations out of lessons learned from his experience with MMDA.
He said a lot of problems in Metro Manila could be a result of each of the 17 cities having their own respective zoning ordinances.
Tolentino saw the need for the creation of a national urban planning commission primarily to guide in the development of urban centers.
In the case of disaster preparedness, Tolentino is also batting for the creation of a Philippine Disaster Reconstruction Agency so that every after calamity, this particular agency will be tasked to do the work of reconstruction, to do the reconnection of cut water pipes, electric posts, and even housing for the displaced families like what Japan is doing.
Tolentino further stressed it’s not enough to just talk of disaster preparedness or risk reduction, but should now emphasized on reconstruction, what to do after every disaster or calamity.
During his stint as MMDA chair, Tolentino has realized the need for amendments of some provisions of the local government code, to include the distribution of the Internal Revenue Allotment.
He proposed extending additional IRA for LGUs hit by calamities man-made or natural to include performing LGUs.
On the use of the calamity fund, the former MMDA chair is also advocating for the allocation of the so-called reconstruction fund that will be placed in a trust fund. This fund will only be used by LGUs hit by calamities.
Based on records of the Commission on Election, Tolentino is one of only few running for senator who comes from the local government units , and who understands the situation and needs of LGUs.
On traffic, Tolentino stressed the solution is to modernize the mass transit system, if Seoul South Korea was able to put up a 700-km railroads for their trains why can’t Manila with almost the same land area and population. Metro Manila only has 73 kilometers of train transit system.
In lieu of this development, Tolentino has encouraged other big cities to already plan for their mass transport system. (PNA/JFP/Juancho Gallarde)
