Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan announced that she appointed a new Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) head.

In her state of the city address (SOCA) on Tuesday afternoon, July 30, the lady mayor lamented that despite the fact that the MTPB is constantly advised and reminded to correct its mistakes and institute reforms, its performance still failed to meet the expectations of the residents.

"Pinaaalahanan naman ang punong tanggapan ng MTPB na iwasto ang mga pagkakamali, punan ang pagkukulang at ayusin ang paglilingkod. Subalit sa kabila ng patuloy na pagpaalala, hindi natin maramdaman ang pagbuti ng kanilang serbisyo sa Manileño, kaya’t pinalitan na natin ang pinuno nito upang mapagbuti ang paglilingkod ng MTPB (The head office of MTPB had been requested to correct the mistakes, fill the deficiency and fix the service. But despite constant reminders, we cannot feel the improvement of their service to Manileños, so we have replaced its leader to improve the service of MTPB)," Lacuna-Pangan said.

"Sa bagong pamunuan, tanggapin natin ang hamon ng taumbayan para sa isang tapat na paglilingkod (With the new leadership, let us accept the challenge of the people for an honest service)," the mayor added.

The mayor recently ordered a temporary stop to all clamping and towing operations by the MTPB due to several complaints from the motorists being received by Manila City Hall.

Pursuant to this, the newly appointed MTPB Officer-In-Charge Narciso Diokno III issued a memorandum, sternly warning the personnel who would violate the mayor's order.

Meanwhile, the mayor also lauded the Manila Police District (MPD) under the leadership of Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay for having been an effective partner of the city when it comes to maintaining peace and order at all times.

"Gusto natin ng may kapanatagan, tahimik, at payapang pamumuhay sa lahat ng sulok ng lungsod, kaya’t pinaigting natin ang ugnayan sa Manila Police District. Tinugunan nila ang ating mahigpit na direktiba na ipatupad ang lahat ng mga umiiral na kautusan at ordinansa lalo na sa disiplina (We want a safe, quiet, and peaceful life in all corners of the city, so we have strengthened our relationship with the Manila Police District. They responded to our strict directive to enforce all existing laws and ordinances especially on discipline)," she said.

The lady mayor also underscored that within a period of just one year, Ibay had reported that the MPD was able to conduct not less than 25,000 operations against violators of laws on curfew, obstruction and traffic, among others.

On top of this, she also said that the MPD is continuously waging an all-out war against illegal drugs, illegal gambling and loose fire arms. 

She also announced that more than 1,500 wanted persons have been arrested by the MPD and that all of them have been appropriately charged.

"Mahigpit na atas natin sa ating kapulisan na iparamdam nila ang kanilang presensya sa lahat ng oras at ipadama nila ang dakilang pagtupad sa kanilang misyon - To Serve and Protect (We strongly instruct our police force to make their presence felt at all times and to make them feel the great fulfillment of their mission - To Serve and Protect), the mayor said.