The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) welcomed the appointment of former Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. as its new chairman, succeeding the late Danilo Lim who passed away last week.

In a news release Monday, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said he looks forward to working with Abalos, who is known for the industrial and commercial development of Mandaluyong City.

Abalos is a former member of the Metro Manila Council, the policy-making body of the MMDA.

“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.

President Rodrigo Duterte will administer the oath of office of Abalos at the Malacañang Palace on Monday afternoon.

Abalos is the son of former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr. who also served as MMDA chairman from January 2001 to June 2002. He is married to incumbent Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita Aguilar-Abalos.

Abalos served for 15 years as city mayor of Mandaluyong City. He first became city mayor from 1998 to 2004, succeeding his father. He again served as mayor for the second time from 2007 to 2016.

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, a multi-awarded mayor, has innumerable awards under his name.

Last 2015, he was conferred the United Nations Public Service Award as a recognition to his Project TEACH initiatives – a program that provides free services and intervention to indigent children with special needs. Abalos also received other recognitions as Mayor of Mandaluyong for 15 years, such as Outstanding City Mayor and Exemplary Humanitarian Service Award and Champion Activist of Children’s Rights and Welfare. (PNA)