Newly appointed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said he has no plans to replace the color of Metro Manila like what his predecessor has done, but will take time to meet the 17 Metro mayors who comprise the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the agency’s policy-making body.

“Yung pagpapalit po ng kulay is not my priority. Ang dami pong more pressing problems like sa basura at trapiko na kailangan kong pagtuunan (Change of color is not a priority. There are more pressing problems such as garbage and traffic concerns needed to be addressed),” said Tolentino.

Tolentino’s predecessor, retired Judge Oscar Inocentes, immediately replaced the pink color that once adorned the MMDA’s main office building and infrastructure such as the footbridges and steel fences to green when he assumed the post. “But if you ask me what my favorite color is, it is rainbow,” Tolentino jokingly said.

For his first weeks, Tolentino said he will spend the week meeting the Metro Manila mayors, with whom he expects to work closely.

“I know how to deal with local officials. But I am asking everybody for a little breathing space as there will be missteps during the first few days. But rest assured that I will be doing my best and putting my heart into improving the lives of the residents of Metro Manila,” Tolentino said, adding that he was former mayor of Tagaytay City for nine years.

Tolentino said he is also a “friend” with Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay and his father, now Vice President Jejomar Binay and the other local officials. Some mayors, including Binay, Pasay’s Wenceslao Trinidad and Lito Atienza of Manila, earlier had close ties with the past administration.