New MMDA chief sets regular meets with bus operators, vendors

New Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino is planning regular meetings with bus operators, drivers, conductors, and vendors to get their inputs in going after colorums and mulcters. In a radio interview Monday, Tolentino said he wants the meetings with representatives of the "stakeholders" held at least twice a month, starting this coming September. "Dalawang beses sa isang buwan magkakaroon ng chairman's dialogue with stakeholders. Mga isa o isa't kalahating oras makapulong nang masinsinan on a regular basis ang conductor, driver, vendor, dispatcher, at bus operator (We will hold a chairman's dialogue twice a month with conductors, drivers, vendors, dispatchers and bus operators. Each meeting will last one to one-and-a-half hours)," he said in an interview on dzXL radio. Tolentino said many of these stakeholders can give the MMDA more information about unscrupulous lawmen mulcting fees from motorists. Tolentino he said he expects legitimate bus operators to provide information on colorum units and drivers. "Para malaman sino ang tiwali at sino ang gumagawa ng tama na dapat bigyan ng commendation, dapat mahingan sila ng suggestion (We want to get suggestions from them on who are corrupt and who deserve to be commended)," he said. On the other hand, he said that while the MMDA will be more considerate in demolishing the homes of informal settlers, it will push through with demolitions in dangerous areas. — RSJ, GMANews.TV