By Noel Lontoc
EVEN as Metro Manila enters the new normal period under a lower alert level status, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has launched the ‘I ♡ Metro Manila (MM)’ advocacy envisioned to uplift the spirits of metro residents recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as to strengthen initiatives on urban renewal that aims to elevate the metropolis to be more livable, greener and resilient.
In an official statement, MMDA chairman Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. explained that the said advocacy aims initiate efforts towards urban renewal and provide solutions to insufficient green spaces in the National Capital Region (NCR) as well as the unified pandemic response being initiated among the 17 metropolitan local government units (LGUs).
“Recognizing the impact of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic and the problem of urban decay in the metropolis, now is the time to focus on Metro Manila as a whole with ‘I ♡ Metro Manila’ even as we enter the new normal and try to invigorate our economy through the reopening of business activities and livelihood opportunities,” Abalos pointed out during the advocacy’s launch.
“Let us talk about mobility, mass transportation, river ferry, water quality, bike lanes, pedestrian walkways, greening and urban spaces, opening parks, pathways along rivers, jogging paths, pocket gardens, trash traps, culture, film fest, public safety and many other concerns. We shall deal with all of the things that we dream about in Metro Manila,” he disclosed to promote the MMDA’s projects planned to be implemented and are on the road to achieve urban renewal.
Also among the initiatives to be undertaken through the ‘I ♡ MM’ initiative are the ‘Adopt-a-Park’ project which is in partnership with the different LGUs and ‘Urban Re-greening and Renewal’ program which raises environmental awareness and encourages inclusive and participatory planning among the stakeholders in addressing urban decay through the creation of green public parks as well as the revitalization of Metro Manila’s ecosystem to stem the tide of rapid urbanization.
The MMDA chief likewise mentioned that the advocacy will also highlight the continued support and participation of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) and all of Metro Manila’s 16 cities and lone municipality comprising Metro Manila with the engagement of all stakeholders in the process.
“Metro Manila, being one of the regional drivers of economic development and home to a significant portion of the country’s population, needs to improve its capacity to recover from the socioeconomic fallout brought about by the pandemic while building its resilience to health emergencies and reducing poverty,” he stressed.
Also as part of his message during the advocacy’s launching, Abalos gave recognition to the concerted efforts of IATF members and the 17 metro LGUs who supported the efficient implementation of the government’s Covid-19 pandemic response initiatives, making the NCR the first region to achieve population protection.
As of November 13, 91 percent of Metro Manila’s eligible population have been fully vaccinated and by December 12, it is expected that the inoculation rate will reach 100.87 percent and further by February 12 next year to 104.96 percent.
Meanwhile, National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief implementer secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. followed through with the MMDA chief’s recognition of current achievements by giving cognizance to the efforts of a number of private firms helping the government in bolstering its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
To give credence to the MMDA’s advocacy amidst the impact of the pandemic and the problem of urban decay in the metropolis, the self-proclaimed vaccine czar awarded the agency with recognition for its efforts to deliver invaluable support to the national government’s health and economic interventions that are aimed at addressing the ongoing health crisis.
