Fernando faces probe for misuse of MMDA funds for flood control

By Gerry Baldo

08/06/2008

An administration and an opposition lawmaker yesterday formally filed a resolution to investigate Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando on the misuse of funds intended for flood control in Metro Manila.

According to Parañaque Rep. Rolio Golez, the lawmakers are “concerned” that Fernando is “diverting funds for flood control to his pink fences, pink footbridges, pink urinals and U-turn slots.”

“Rep. Mat Defensor (of Quezon City) and I filed today (yesterday) House Resolution 708 entitled ‘Resolution to direct the committee on oversight of the House of Representatives to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the use of flood control funds in Metro Manila by Chairman Bayani Fernando of the MMDA,” Golez said in a text message yesterday.

Golez explained the move to investigate Fernando was triggered by the recent floods that hit Metro Manila despite the assurance made by the chairman in 2005 that there would be no more floods in Metro Manila.

“This is in reaction to the big floods that recently hit Metro Manila in spite of Fernando’s assurance in 2005 and last year that there would be ‘no more floods’ in Metro Manila. We are concerned that he is diverting funds for flood control to his pink fences, pink footbridges, pink urinals and U-turn slots,” Golez said.

Golez noted the floods that hit Metro Manila have been causing so much traffic, putting business and human resources at a standstill.

Earlier, Golez had lambasted Fernando for the heavy floods in the Camanava (Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela) area brought by Typhoon “Helen” last month.

He said the floods have paralyzed businesses and wasted thousands of man-hours in Metro Manila.

Golez added Fernando, who has publicly announced his intention to run for president in the 2010 elections, has neglected his duties as “caretaker” of Metro Manila because of his “political ambitions,” citing the proliferation of the giant MMDA tarpaulins bearing Fernando’s photographs and slogans purportedly to “instill discipline” among Metro Manilans.

The Parañaque lawmaker welcomed the announcement of the Department of Public Works and Highways to tear down illegally constructed billboards, including Fernando’s own tarpaulins that serve as traffic obstruction.

On the issue of the huge tarpaulins bearing the pictures of Fernando, which have been set up in various parts of Metro Manila, Golez reiterated the structures have “uglified” the metropolis.

He also noted in these billboards firms owned by Fernando are being advertised at the expense of the government.

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