The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday welcomed the appointment of former Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. as the new chairman of MMDA.
Abalos will succeed the late MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim who passed away last week due to cardiac arrest, after testing positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said he looks forward to working with Abalos whom he credited for the industrial and commercial development of Mandaluyong.
“The MMDA welcomes the appointment of former city mayor Benhur Abalos as our new chairman. We vow to support his leadership, plans, and programs in the pursuit of efficient and quality public service,” Garcia said in a statement Monday.
Abalos served as city mayor of Mandaluyong City for 15 years, first in 1998 to 2004, and again in 2007 to 2016. As such, he was a member of the Metro Manila Council, the policy-making body of the MMDA.
He also served as president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and League of Cities of the Philippines from 2007 to 2010.
Abalos is the son of former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, Jr. who also served as MMDA chairman from 2001 to 2002.
Benhur is married to incumbent Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita Abalos.
The MMDA said President Duterte will administer the oath of office of Abalos in Malacanang Palace on Monday afternoon.