Artes is new MMDA chief

Romando Artes has been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the new chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) after Benjamin Abalos Jr. resigned last February 7 to serve as presidential aspirant Bongbong Marcos’ national campaign manager.

The newly appointed MMDA chief expressed gratitude to the outgoing chief executive for the trust and confidence and assured the public that projects beneficial to Metro Manila shall continue to be implemented.

 "It is an honor to be appointed as the MMDA Chairman. The agency has been my home for the past five years — from the term of the late Chairman Danilo Lim and later under Chairman Abalos," said Artes.

 "I will continue to work for the completion of the projects and programs needed and pursuant to our mandates — traffic, solid waste, and flood management, urban renewal, public safety among others and the equally important COVID-19 vaccination as we transition to the new normal, " he added.

 A Certified Public Accountant, Artes first served as the agency’s Assistant General Manager (AGM) for Finance and Administration in May 2017 and later on as the agency’s General Manager in November 2021.

According to an MMDA statement, Artes — being the AGM for Finance and Administration — managed the budget and finances of the Authority and achieved the first-ever “unqualified opinion” from the Commission on Audit for 2019 and again in 2021. It added that Artes was also instrumental in helping the agency achieve the ISO 9001:2015 certification.

 Aside from that, Artes spearheaded the MMDA COVID-19 Committee, which managed to inoculate the majority of the MMDA employees and their immediate families. Also, he supervised the Public-Private Partnership program that facilitated the construction of the MMDA’s new headquarters in Ortigas, Pasig City that is targeted to be completed within the year.

Meanwhile, MMDA Undersecretary Frisco San Juan Jr. was also appointed as General Manager parallel to being the agency’s deputy chairman.

San Juan vowed to assist Artes in formulating projects, resolutions and regulations that will benefit Metro Manila and its residents.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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