Land Transport Organizations:
Vision
The LTO envisions a well-developed transportation system that will play a vital role in improving the quality of life of the Filipino people, particularly in providing a more viable means of land transport and a secured travel for transport users and commuters.
Mission
To rationalize the land transportation service and facilities and to implement effectively the various transportation laws, rules and regulations.
Mandate & Main Functions
1. Inspection and Registration of Motor Vehicles
2. Issuance of Licenses and Permits
3. Enforcement of Land Transportation Rules and Regulations
4. Adjudication of Traffic Cases
5. Collection of Revenues for the Government
Land Transportation Office
Historical background:
The concept of land transportation system in the Philippines started when our ancestors invented means of locomotion. The early means of transportation used was animals in moving people and goods from place to place. Although the means of land transportation during the early days were not as sophisticated as the modern vehicles of today and the roads were as well constructed, the early Filipinos also observed some forms of laws to govern their mobility. These laws were as informal and simple as specifying which animal could be used for certain purposes. However, the existence of these rules showed that our ancestors had already felt the need to regulate the transportation system.
As early as 1910, few motor vehicles were seen operating in the public highways in Manila and suburbs.
Better means of transportation were invented and introduced in the country. Gradually, the Filipinos learned to use cars, trucks, jeeps and other types of vehicles. The means of transportation became better and powerful and the laws governing land travel became more formal and sophisticated.
On February 6, 1912, Legislative Act No. 2159 was enacted to regulate motor vehicles in the Philippine Islands and to provide for the regulation and licensing of operators. This was the first formal law on land transportation. This law created an Automobile Section under the Administrative Division of the Bureau of Public Works. The Section was tasked to take charge of motor vehicles and drivers' services. Later on, Legislative Act 2159 was amended by 2256, 2389, 2587, 2639 and 2925.
In 1922, Act No. 3045 was passed into law compiling and incorporating all laws governing motor vehicles. The Automobile Section was upgraded to the Automobile Division still under the Bureau of Public Works.
On January 1, 1933, Act No. 3992 0therwise known as the "Revised Motor Vehicle Law" was enacted amending Act No. 3045. The Automobile Division was renamed Division of Motor Vehicles. The Chief of the Division was called the Superintendent of Division of Motor Vehicles. Act No. 3992 was amended by Commonwealth Act Nos. 123, 548, 556, 652 and Republic Act No. 314, 587 and 2383.
On June 2, 1945, Department Order No. 4 was issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways reorganizing the Division. This took effect after the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese invasion.
In 1947, Executive Order No. 94 was promulgated reorganizing the different executive departments, bureaus and offices. Under Section 82 of this E.O., the Division of Motor Vehicles was upgraded into the Motor Vehicles Office (MVO) with the category of the Bureau. The Chief of the MVO enjoyed the rights and privileges of a Bureau Director.
During the fifties and early sixties, our country started undergoing rapid economic development. Industrialization advanced. As a consequence, more and better roads were constructed. The Filipinos then realized the need for more and better means of transportation. The growth in the number of vehicles increased the demand for services that the MVO must render to the public. This necessitated the issuance by the DPWH on June 5, 1961 of Administrative Regulation No. 1 transferring the function of collecting the registration and miscellaneous fees from the provincial and city treasurers to the various vehicle agencies of MVO.
On June 20, 1964, R.A. No. 4136, otherwise known as the "Land Transportation and Traffic Code" was enacted abolishing the Motor Vehicle Office and creating the Land Transportation Commission. This law likewise partially repealed Act No. 3992. The Code provided that the Land Transportation Commission shall "control as far as they apply, the registration and operation of motor vehicles and the licensing of owners, dealers, conductors, drivers and similar matters." To effectively carry out its mandate, the Land Transportation Commission established regional offices in various parts of the country.
On July 23, 1979, Executive Order No. 546 was promulgated creating the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC). This marked another reorganization. The Land Transportation Commission was renamed as the Bureau of Land Transportation and was absorbed by MOTC.
On March 20, 1985, Executive Order 1011 was promulgated. This Executive Order nullified the Board of Transportation and the Bureau of Land Transportation and established the Land Transportation Commission. The defunct BOT and BLT were merged and their powers, functions and responsibilities were transferred to the Land Transportation Commission (LTC) headed by a Chairman assisted by four Commissioners. The LTC was tasked to perform functions such as registering motor vehicles, licensing of drivers and conductors, franchising of public utility vehicles and enforcing land transportation rules and regulations.
On January 30, 1987, the land Transportation Commission was abolished and two offices were created, namely: Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The LTO took over the functions of the former BLT and the LTFRB took over the functions of the BOT. The MOTC was likewise renamed as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). All these changes took effect with the promulgation of Executive Order No. 125 which was later on amended by Executive Order No. 125-A dated April 13, 1987 and 226 dated July 25, 1987.
Despite the changes in names of the Office and all the reorganization that took effect, its basic functions on land transportation system remain the same. The promotion of safety and comfort in land travel is its continuing commitment
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)
Our Vision
World-class land transportation services contributing to the over-all development of the country, improvement of the socio-economic status of its stakeholders, and promotion of the welfare of the general public
Our Mission
Ensure that the commuting public has adequate, safe, convenient, environment-friendly and dependable public land transportation services at reasonable rates through the implementation of land-based transportation policies, programs, and projects responsive to an investment-led and demand-driven industry.
Our Mandate
To promulgate, administer, enforce, and monitor compliance of policies, laws, and regulations of public land transportation services
Historical Background
The regulatory land transportation dates back to the early 1900s. The LTFRB therefore, is a product of a series of transformations. The evolutionary progression runs as thus:
Coastwise Rate Commission – November 17, 1902
Supervising Railway Expert – June 29, 1906
Board of Public Utility Commissioners – December 19, 1913
Public Utilities Commission – March 9, 1917
Public Service Commission - 1926
Specialized Regulatory Boards - 1972
Board of Transportation - 1979
Land Transportation Commission (BOT & BLT) - 1985
Land Transportation Franchising & Regulatory Board -1987
Functions
Powers and Functions of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
The Board shall have the following powers and functions:
1. To prescribe and regulate routes of service, economically viable capacities and zones or areas of operation of public land transportation services provided by motorized vehicles in accordance with the public land transportation development plans and programs approved by the Department of Transportation and Communications;
2. To issue, amend, revise, suspend or cancel Certificates of Public Convenience or permits authorizing the operation of public land transportation services provided by motorized vehicles, and to prescribe the appropriate terms and conditions therefore;
3. To determine, prescribe and approve and periodically review and adjust, reasonable fares, rates and other related charges, relative to the operation of public land transportation services provided by motorized vehicles;
4. To issue preliminary or permanent injunction, whether prohibitory or mandatory, in all cases in which it has jurisdiction, and in which cases the pertinent provisions of the Rules of Court shall apply;
5. To punish for contempt of the Board, both direct and indirect, in accordance with the pertinent provisions of, and the penalties prescribed by, the Rules of Court;
6. To issue subpoena and subpoena ducestecum and summon witnesses to appear in any proceedings of the Board, to administer oaths and affirmations;
7. To conduct investigations and hearings of complaints for violation of the public service laws on land transportation and of the Board's rules and regulations, orders, decisions and/or rulings and to impose fines and/or penalties for such violations;
8. To review motuproprio the decisions/actions of the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office herein created;
9. To promulgate rules and regulations governing proceedings before the Board and the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office: Provided, That except with respect to paragraphs d, e, f and g hereof, the rules of procedure and evidence prevailing in the courts of laws should not be controlling and it is the spirit and intention of said rules that the Board and the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Offices shall use every and all reasonable means to ascertain facts in its case speedily and objectively and without regard to technicalities of law and procedures, all in the interest of due process;
10. To fix, impose and collect, and periodically review and adjust, reasonable fees and other related charges for services rendered;
11. To formulate, promulgate, administer, implement and enforce rules and regulations on land transportation public utilities, standards of measurements and/or design, and rules and regulations requiring operators of any public land transportation service to equip, install and provide in their utilities and in their stations such devices, equipment facilities and operating procedures and techniques as may promote safety, protection, comfort and convenience to persons and property in their charges as well as the safety of persons and property within their areas of operations;
12. To coordinate and cooperate with other government agencies and entities concerned with any aspect involving public land transportation services with the end in view of effecting continuing improvement of such services; and
13. To perform such other functions and duties as may be provided by law, or as may be necessary, or proper or incidental to the purposes and objectives of this Executive Order
Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC)
The Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) was created under Executive Order no. 898 dated May 28, 1983. It was attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications to enhance the efficiency of the facilities and services related to transportation, consistent with the integration and rationalization of public transportation system in the country.
In 1990, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) absorbed the registration authority of the OTC, an entity created under Republic Act No. 6939 dated March 10,1990.Functions retained by the agency pertains to promotion, organization, regulation, supervision, and development of all transportation service cooperatives in the country. Its mission is to gear the transport cooperative system towards maximum integration of the public transport system, and to uplift the socio-economic condition of the public utility transport workers, particularly, the drivers.
Toll Regulatory Board
The Toll Regulatory Board is a Philippine government agency that regulates all toll roads in the Philippines.
The TRB was created by virtue of Presidential Decree (“P.D.”) No. 1112 or the Toll Operation Decree. It possesses regulatory authority over all toll facilities in the Philippines, and is authorized under its charter to enter into contracts on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines, with qualified persons, natural or juridical, for the construction, operation and maintenance of toll facilities.
At present, it exercises jurisdiction over the following toll facilities:
1. North Luzon Expressway (NLEX);
2. South Luzon Expressway (SLEX);
3. Manila-Cavite Expressway (Coastal Road);
4. South Metro Manila Skyway (Skyway);
5. Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway); and
6. Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).
From 2005 to 2007 and under the auspices of its Executive Director, Manuel G. Imperial, the TRB entered into contracts with private investors for the expansion and rehabilitation of its existing projects such as the SLEX, Skyway, Coastal Road and STAR and the construction of the new Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) that would link Metro Manila to the Central Luzon area and the special economic zones located in Subic and Clark.
Other projects in the pipeline involve the extension of the NLEX that would connect it to the existing SLEX. Also, the TRB is considering the construction of new toll road development projects in the Calabarzon area.
Needless to state, the TRB played a vital role in spurring economic progress in the Philippines by improving and providing vital road networks that are necessary in revitalizing the economies of regions outside Metro Manila.
Philippine National Railways
Vision Statement
To have an economical, safe and efficient railway network in the entire Luzon to include Batangas, Cagayan Valley and Marilaque and in Mindanao, Panay and other island in the Visayas.
Mission Statement
To provide railway services within the integrated national transport system which shall serve as a socio-economic development tool, while ensuring the viability of operations for optimum service at minimum cost.
General Corporate Objectives:
1. To develop the railway system and related services towards the establishment and maintenance of a dependable, economical, safe and efficient integrated transport system in the country;
2. To ensure efficiency in operation without sacrificing but even improving on service and utility as demanded by the riding public;
3. To ensure maximum utilization of corporate resources;
4. To maintain the financial viability of the corporation, enough to provide for continuous progressive growth in an accelerated improvement of all its facilities; and,
5. To professionalize and improve a long range training program to upgrade its manpower, and to promote and enhance employees' welfare
Historical background:
The island of Luzon has been endowed with nature’s blessings but only slightly stirred by trade and commercial activity. The galleons that plowed the seas to and from Mexico offered some awesome sights to the Filipinos at that time. Under these prevailing conditions, the railroad was introduced as means of exploiting the untapped riches of the virgin island of Luzon.
On June 25, 1875, by virtue of royal decree of King Alfonso XII of Spain, required Inspector of Public Works of the Philippine Island to submit a general plan for the establishment of a railroad line in the island of Luzon. After five months of conscientious study, Don Eduardo Lopez Navarro, head of the Public Works Office submitted the plan called “MemoriaSobre el Plan General de Ferrocarilles en la Isla de Luzon.” The plan was granted for its implementation. On June 1, 1887, a concession for the construction of a railway line from Manila to Dagupan, Pangasinan was awarded to Don Edmundo Sykes of the Ferrocaril de Manila-Dagupan, the original corporate name of Manila Railway Company Ltd. of London.
On July 31, 1887, the cornerstore was laid at the present site of its main terminal building at Tutuban, Manila. Five years later, on November 24, 1892, the first 195 kilometer railway line from Manila to Dagupan in Northern Luzon was opened for operation.
On February 4, 1916, the Philippine Legislaturer passed Act. No. 2547 acquiring the then Manila Railroad Company (MRR). Construction of lines continued such that by 1940, the railway had been extended up to Legaspi, Albay in the South and to San Fernando, La Union in he north. Branch lines were constructed from Paniqui, Tarlac to San Quintin, Pangasinan; from Tarlac, Tarlac to San Jose, Nueva Ecija; from Bigaa, Bulacan to Cabanatuan City; from San Fernando, Pampanga to Carmen, Pangasinan; from College to Sta. Cruz, Laguna and from Sta. Mesa to Hulo in Mandaluyong.
The Second World War brought considerable damages to the system. The United States Army, which had temporarily gained control of the Company, after the war in 1945, was able to restore 40% of the pre-war lines.
On February 1, 1946, the control of the railway system was turned over to the Philippine Government. Of the 1,140 route-kilometers before the war, only 452 route-kilometers were made operational. Since then, the activities were concentrated on the rehabilitation and/or reconstruction of damaged railway facilities. The period 1954-1957 marked the dieselization program of the Company. Steam engines were retired and replaced by diesel electric engines.
On June 20, 1946, Republic Act No. 4156, the new Charter was passed, renaming the Company to what it is today – Philippine National Railways (PNR). This law had been amended twice: first Republic Act No. 6366 enacted on August 20, 1971 which provided for the rehabilitation and selective modernization program of the Philippine National Railways; and the second by Presidential Decree No. 741 issued on July 3, 1975 which raised the capital stock to P1.5 billion.
On July 23, 1979, Executive Order No. 546 was issued by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, creating the then Ministry of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), with the PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS as one of the attached government agencies.
In March 1990, the Main Line South (MLS) has been rehabilitated. The rehabilitation included the acquisition of Diesel Electric Locomotives (DEL) and the introduction of concrete ties in selected sections of the south line. In 1992, additional units of Diesel Electric Locomotives had been acquired.
On February 23, 1995, the Improvement and Modernization of Commuter Line South had been started. The Commuter Line South starts at Tutuban, Manila, and ends in Calamba, Laguna with branch line to Carmona, Cavite, a total stretch of 40 kilometers.
MANDATE(LEGAL BASIS)
• Congressional RA No. 4156 enacted June 20, 1964 – creation of the Philippine National Railway
• Amended 1st by RA 6366 Aug. 20,1971- for the rehabilitation and selective modernization
• Then by PD 741 on July 3, 1975- raising the capital stock to Php 1.5-billion
COMPANY PROFILE
1. Strength - 1,300 employees
2. Route length - 479 km
3. Annual turnover - Php
4. Services:
• Commuter Express
• Long Distance Train Service
• Cargo/Freight Express
• Real Estate
• Hospital
The Light Rail Transit Authority
The Light Rail Transit Authority is recognized as the premiere rail transit in the country providing reliable, efficient, dependable, and environment-friendly mass rail services to all residents of Metro Manila. LRTA is a wholly owned government corporation created on July 12, 1980 under Executive Order (EO) No. 603, as amended by EO No. 830 dated September 1982, and EO No. 210 dated July 7, 1987. The LRTA is primarily responsible for the construction, operation, maintenance and/or lease of light rail transit systems in the Philippines.
A pioneer of the industry since 1984, LRTA has become the country's prime mover in the rail transport sector serving the needs of millions of Filipinos by exploring avenues where the LRT system could continuously provide efficient transport services while promoting economy and efficiency of operations
Vision
To be the institution in the field of mass rail transit system and be in continuous pursuit of excellence in the provision of safe, reliable, efficient and effective mass rail transit services for optimum customer's satisfaction.
Mission
To pursue excellence in the provision of quality mass transport and related services in the metropolitan areas of the country in a safe, reliable, cost-effective, caring, integrated, and ecologically responsible manner.
Mandate
By virtue of Executive Order No. 603, the Light Rail Transit Authority was created to be primarily responsible for the construction, operation, maintenance and/or lease of LRT Systems in the Philippines
The LRT Line 1 System - The Yellow Line
The Light Rail Transit System Line No. 1 consists of the 15 km elevated railway system servicing the Taft Avenue - Rizal Avenue route between Baclaran, Pasay City and the Bonifacio Monument in the City of Caloocan. It is considered to be the first LRT system in Southeast Asia.
Line 1 has a length of about 15 km and runs from Baclaran in Pasay City to Monumento in Caloocan City. Pasay City lies in the south-west section of Metro Manila, close to the airport. From there, the line runs in a north-western direction, parallel to the Bay but at some distance from it along Taft Avenue to the Manila City Hall, where the central terminal is located, then through Arroceros Street, across the Pasig River, entering the Santa Cruz district at Feati University. From there, it follows Rizal Avenue and Rizal Avenue Extension in a northerly direction to the terminal at Monumento in Caloocan City.
The LRT Line 2 System - The Purple Line
The Megatren, more popularly known by its generic name Line 2, is a 13.8 km mass transit line that traverses five cities in Metro Manila namely Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, San Juan and Manila) along the major thoroughfares of Marcos Highway, Aurora Boulevard, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Legarda and Recto Avenue
It extends from Santolan, Pasig City in the east to Recto, Manila in the west with 11 stations or terminals: Santolan; Katipunan, the first and only underground air-conditioned station; Anonas; Araneta Center-Cubao; Betty Go-Belmonte; J. Ruiz; Gilmore; V. Mapa; Pureza; Legarda; and Recto
Manila Metro Rail Transit System
Manila Blue Line or Manila Metro Rail Transit System
The Manila Blue Line or Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly known as the MRT 3, Metrostar Express or Metrostar,is part of the metropolitan rail system in the Metro Manila area of the Philippines, the Strong Republic Transit System (SRTS). It has a single line, MRT-3 or the Blue Line. Although it has characteristics of light rail, such as the type of rolling stock used, it is more akin to a rapid transit system. It is not related to the Manila Light Rail Transit System, a separate but linked system.
The MRT forms part of Metro Manila's rail transport infrastructure, known as the Strong Republic Transit System, and overall public transport system. One of its original purposes was to decongest Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), one of Metro Manila's main thoroughfares and home to the MRT, and many commuters who ride the MRT also take road-based public transport, such as buses, to reach the intended destination from an MRT station. MRT has been only partially successful in decongesting EDSA, and congestion is further aggravated by the rising number of motor vehicles. The expansion of the system to cover the entire stretch of EDSA is expected to contribute to current attempts to decongest the thoroughfare and to cut travel times.
The MRT is operated by the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC), a private company operating in partnership with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) under a Build-Lease-Transfer (BLT) agreement.
The single line serves 13 stations on 16.95 kilometres (10.5 mi) of line. It is mostly elevated, with some sections at grade or underground. The line commences at Taft Avenue (Taft on the map) and ends at North Avenue, serving the cities that EDSA passes through: Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, and San Juan.
North Avenue, Taft Avenue and Araneta Center-Cubao are interchanges with the LRT network, with MRT North Avenue station connected to North Avenue station and Taft Avenue station connected to EDSA station on the Yellow Line and Araneta Center-Cubao connected to its namesake station on the Purple Line. The line's termini have been designated as transport hubs, where commuters can change to and from take other forms of public transport.
Although much of the MRT has already been built, the route envisioned by the DOTC and the government in general was for the MRT to traverse the entire length of EDSA (from Monumento to Taft Ave), eventually connecting to the Yellow Line at Monumento in Caloocan City. The expansion has been shelved in favor of the Yellow Line's extension from Monumento to a new common station that it will share with the MRT at North Avenue, thus closing the loop. It is also planned that the southern terminus of the proposed MRT-7, which will link Quezon City, Caloocan (north), and San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan will be sharing the same station.
METRO MANILA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (Filipino: PangasiwaansaPagpapaunladngKalakhangMaynila, abbreviated MMDA), is an agency of the Republic of the Philippines created embracing the cities of Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Pasay, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Valenzuela, Malabon, Taguig, Navotas and San Juan and the municipality of Pateros. Metropolitan Manila or the National Capital Region is constituted into a special development and administrative region subject to direct supervision of the President of the Philippines. The MMDA office is located at Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) corner Orense Street, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati, Philippines.
The MMDA performs planning, monitoring and coordinative functions, and in the process exercise regulatory and supervisory authority over the delivery of metro-wide services within Metro Manila without diminution of the autonomy of the local government units concerning purely local matters.
The agency is headed by a Chairman, who is appointed by the President and continues to hold office at the discretion of the appointing authority. He is vested with the rank, rights, privileges, disqualifications, and prohibitions of a cabinet member.
The Chairman is assisted by a General Manager, an Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration, an Assistant General Manager for Planning and Assistant General Manager for Operation, all of whom are appointed by the President with the consent and concurrence of the majority of the Council, subject to civil service laws, rules and regulations. They enjoy security of tenure and may be removed for cause in accordance with law.
The Assistant General Manager for Planning should have not less than five (5) years extensive experience in development and planning or must hold a master's degree in urban planning or similar disciplines.
History
February 27, 1975. President Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Decree 824 creating the Metropolitan Manila Commission (MMC). It integrates the Philippine capital Manila and adjacent Quezon City with 2 cities and 12 municipalities of the province of Rizal and 1 municipality of the province of Bulacan. Marcos appointed his wife Imelda Marcos as governor and Ismael Mathay, Jr. as vice-governor. The office was located in front of the GMA-7 TV station at EDSA corner Timog Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.
January 9, 1990. President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 392, in accordance to Article 18, Section 8 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, creating Metro Manila Authority (MMA). The Metro Manila mayors will choose from themselves as chairman. JejomarBinay of the municipality of Makati served as its first chairman. The agency transferred to its present office at Guadalupe, Makati. Binay was followed by Ignacio Bunye of municipality of Muntinlupa in 1991, Ismael Mathay, Jr. of Quezon City in 1992 then Prospero Oreta of the municipality of Malabon in 1994.
March 1, 1995. Since the elected chairman is one of the mayors of Metro Manila, the role to his constituency gave less attention. Thus, the Philippine Congress, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives, passed Republic Act No. 7924 creating the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
May 1995. Prospero Oreta did not run in the Malabon municipal election. President Fidel V. Ramos appointed him as the first Chairman of the MMDA and made him independent of the Metro Manila mayors.
June 1998. JejomarBinay was prohibited by law from running for his fourth consecutive term as mayor of Makati. President Joseph E. Estrada appointed him as the second Chairman of the MMDA.
January 2001. After the removal of Joseph E. Estrada as President, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo removed Binay from office and appointed Benjamin C. Abalos Sr. as Chairman. Abalos served as Mayor of Mandaluyong City from 1986 to 1998. In May of the same year, Binay ran as Mayor of Makati City and won. Since then, Binay has been a critic of the MMDA and advocated for its abolition.
February 2002. Abalos was appointed Chairman of the Commission on Elections of the Philippines. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Bayani Fernando as the fourth Chairman of the MMDA. Fernando served as Mayor of Marikina from 1992 to 2001. He was credited for transforming Marikina from a 4th class municipality to a model Philippine city. Well-known for his work as Mayor of Marikina, Bayani Fernando was then appointed as Chairman of the MMDA. He launched the "Metro Gwapo" drive to start the advocacy of turning Metro Manila to the pride of the Philippines as its capital. He created the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Department, which aimed to clear all sidewalks of illegal structures. Among these are the sidewalks of the North Luzon Central Market (Cloverleaf Market) in Balintawak, Quezon City. The national government saved money because of his decision to change the design of some existing intersections by installing numerous U-turn slots and steel pedestrian overpasses, which he called "footbridges". Metro Manila became notable for becoming the Asian metropolis with a unique male sidewalk urinal. Among the 17 cities and municipalities of Metro Manila, the City of Makati and the city of San Juan disapprove of Fernando's proposals. As a result, these locations do not have major MMDA projects constructed nor deputized traffic enforcers.
October 2009. Fernando ran for Vice-President, which required him to step down from MMDA. Oscar Inocentes succeeded him. Inocentes halted forced sidewalk clearing operations, but continued many of Fernando's projects, with the twist of coloring pink elements into green. He briefly gained popularity as he was strict like Fernando, but not as stubborn, earning the trust of Fernando's rival, JejomarBinay.
MMDA Today.Inocentes was replaced by former Tagaytay mayor Francis Tolentino. Though he had ordered one Gwapotel converted into training barracks and ordering the closure of MMDA TV for austerity measures, he has the intention of continuing every productive endeavor of his predecessors, in line with Noynoy Aquino's challenge to all government units to lead by example. He pledged to continue Fernando's sidewalk clearing operations, but with more compassion. However, Fernando, his predecessor made his presence felt by defending Tolentino in the question about flood control, mentioning previous troubles encountered by the former chairman that were still an issue presently.
Its was a day of refreshment since 2013 summer has arrive, my brothers and I decided to have a trip with the people working for us in the company. We have decided to travel far from what we used to enjoy. We decided to explore a destination only few have seen.
It is called Tinipak River and Cave in the far east of Rizal called Daraitan. A sitio of Tanay. Its really far from our home but I enjoyed the travel since mountains and fresh air is surrounding the entire destination. We had to trek for about an hour ( depending on your skills on climbing rock formation that is truly out of this world). I too struggled because rock climbing is one of the things that I needed to improve. But because of the beautiful scenery you and the very fresh air you can only sigh for a bit then proceed with the walking.
But that is not the hardest part of it, we had to believe it or not, climbed on a stiff rock to reach the area. It was challenging but damn I assure you it truly is a once in lifetime experience and I myself will do it again anytime.
After reaching the destination, I was tired, weak, and remarkably still happy because Ive reached the destination and words cannot explain how amazing and inspiring the area is.
We had to rest for a minute or so then proceed to the area when an underground river is located, we had to fit ourselves in a world where darkness prevails. When we reach the cave there was water everywhere, bats crawling and my adrenaline is spiking and then I saw this amazing rock formations, stalagmite and stalactite. We swim inside the cave, explored it and make a truce that this kind of place has to be seen by many.
We proceed on swimming, eating and playing in the area that is remarkably a gift from God that we need to treasure. 
