A clearing operation on Friday, March 3, resulted to a confrontation between personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and two congressmen.
MMDA stopped the clearing operation along Fugoso Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila after Manila 2nd District Rep. Roland Valeriano and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua questioned the authority of the agency
The lawmakers said that officials in the affected barangays denied that the MMDA coordinated with them for the implementation of the clearing operations.
"Sinasabi nila (barangay captains) na walang complaint," Valeriano told reporters
Chua also insists that the clearing operations should not cover the secondary lanes and backstreets in the area.
"Ang usapan talaga ang area at jurisdiction ng MMDA ay yung mga mabuhay lane. Hindi yung mga secondary at eskinita," Chua said.
"Kaya lang pati yung hindi nila jurisdiction, pinapasok na rin nila. Bastusan na ito ang ginagawa ng MMDA," he added.
Last Monday, March 3, Chua called for the abolition of MMDA, and said accused the agency of failing to coordinate with local officials in the implmentation of demolitions, sidewalk clearing, and towing operations.
Jose Polliarco, head of the MMDA Western Traffic Enforcers Unit, insist that they coordinated with local government officials regarding the clearing operation.
"Meron lang kaunting hindi pagkakaunawaan sa problemang ito. Actually, meron tayong coordination," Polliarco said.
Polliarco also insisted that the clearing operation stemmed from a complaint
