“We will ensure unity, one voice among mayors,” said San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora who was elected on Saturday, Nov. 26, as the new president of the Metro Manila Council (MMC), and the co-chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC).
“Noong termino ko bilang mayor, naranasan natin ang problema ng pandemya, Covid, at nakita ko kung gaano kalaking bagay pag ang labing-pitong mayor sa Metro Manila ay nagkakaisa (During my term as mayor, we experienced the problems brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. It was during this time that I saw how important it is for the 17 mayors in Metro Manila to unite),” said Zamora to the press after the MMC meeting.
“Sisiguraduhin nagkakaisa ang mga mayors. Minsan posibleng hindi kami magkasundo, ang tinig ng bawat mayor ay maririnig at mabibigyan ng pansin upang magkaroon ng desisyon ang MMC, na ito ay maging buo (We will ensure unity among mayors. It is possible that sometimes we will disagree, but each mayor’s voice will be heard and given attention in order for the MMC to arrive at a unified decision),” he added.
Zamora expressed his gratitude to the MMC officials and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes for their “trust and confidence” in him to take up the mantle previously held by former Paranaque City Mayor and incumbent District 1 Representative Edwin Olivarez.
“Isang karangalan po na tayo ay napagkatiwalaan ng ating mga kapwa mayors at mga miyembro ng Metro Manila Council. Ito po ay panibagong responsibilidad sa atin ngunit handa naman po tayo (It is an honor to be trusted by our fellow mayors and members of the MMC. This is a brand new responsibility for us but we are prepared),” Zamora said.
As the new MMC president and co-chair of the RDC, Zamora highlighted the development of the National Capital Region (NCR) as a top priority.
He stressed the need to address the issue of traffic in Metro Manila since public engagements, activities, and mobilities are gradually returning to normal, pre-pandemic levels.
Zamora also said he will focus on peace and order in the region, saying it is “integral to the operations of each local government unit (LGU).”
San Juan City hosted the MMC meeting at the Gloria Maris, Greenhills in San Juan City on Saturday evening, Nov. 26.
Among the attendees were Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian, Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr., Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Caloocan Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan, and other heads of the Metro Manila Vice Mayors League (MMVML) and Metro Manila Councilors League (MMCL).
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos were also at the meeting.