Ismael "Mel" Mathay Jr.- Profile

DATE OF BIRTH : 26 June 1932

EDUCATION
• BSBA Economics
University of the Philippines
1952
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
San Beda College
1957
Admitted to the Philippine BAR – 1957

As a student at the University of the Philippines he represented the College of
Business Administration:

• The JUNIOR COUNCIL
• The SENIOR COUNCIL
• EDITORIAL BOARD PHILIPPINE COLLEGIAN

MEMBER
• UPSILON SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY
• PAN XENIA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY

POSITION HELD :

In the PRIVATE SECTOR :
• PRESIDENT, PUREFOODS CORPORATION
• PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF FILIPINO GROCERS
• PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, CAPITOL MOTORS CORPORATION
• DIRECTOR, PHILIPPINE AUTOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION

As a PUBLIC SERVANT :
• SECRETARY COMMISSION ON AUDIT (COA)
• VICE MAYOR, Quezon City
• VICE GOVERNOR, METRO MANILA COMMISSION
1979 – 1986
• DIRECTOR, MWSS
1979 – 1987
• ASSEMBLYMAN, QUEZON CITY, BATASAN PAMBANSA
1984 – 1986
• CONGRESSMAN, 4TH DISTRICT, QUEZON CITY
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
• MAYOR, QUEZON CITY
1992-1995
1995-1998
1998-2001
• CHAIRMAN, METRO MANILA AUTHORITY
1993-1994 (Three Terms)

AWARDS:
• University of the Philippines
Lifetime Achievement Award
• University of the Philippines
Outstanding Alumnus for Community Service
• Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
PHD-HONORIS CAUSA
• Nobel Prize Awardee – UN Global YES
• 1993 “Hoy Gising” Hall of Fame


PERFORMANCE RECORD:

As VICE MAYOR-
1. Supported Community & Civic Organizations coordinating with
The City Government to uplift living standards of the residents
of Quezon City.
2. Initiated the lighting of the City’s Main Avenues and streets with
Emphasis on the areas leading to the Diliman Campus of the
University.

As ASSEMBLYMAN, Quezon City, Batasan Pambansa, 1984-1986 and

As CONGRESSMAN, 4th District, Quezon City, House of
Representatives, 1987-1992.

1. Co-sponsored a comprehensive standardization pay plan for all
Government employees.
2. Fought against projected Metro Manila WATER Sewerage System
(MWSS) water rate increase.
3. Worked for the approval/release of funds for infrastructure
projects and health centers for a more effective delivery of
health services.
4. Aborted projected 300% real estate tax increase in Quezon City.

As VICE GOVERNOR, Metro Manila Commission:
1. Increase pay and allowances of public school teachers.
2. Averted teachers strikes.
3. Settled jeepney driver’s strikes.
4. Initiated and coordinated with Local Government agencies in
setting up 29 zonal improvement programs, including-
1. Tondo Foreshore Project
2. Tatalon Project, Quezon City
3. Bagong Barrio, Kalookan
4. Bagong Silangan, Kalookan
5. San Martin de Porres, Quezon City
6. Barrio Capri, Quezon City
7. Maricaban, Pasay City
8. Hulo, Mandaluyong

5. Initiated the implementation of free Public High School in
Metro Manila.

As MAYOR, Quezon City
1. Chaired Quezon City Inter Agency Committee on Justice
2. Increased monthly allowances of City’s Public School Teachers
from Php 600 to Php 1,200
3. Initiated the development of Payatas as an Urban Community
4. Granted Php 1,000 monthly allowance to Quezon City Policemen
and Firemen
5. Hastened the repair, rehabilitation and construction of more
Road Networks in the City
6. Provided housing for the homeless residents of the City thru
the Community Mortgage Program (CMP)
7. Established the Quezon City Polytechnic Institute
8. Renovated the Quezon City General Hospital
9. Established Annex Hospitals at Barangay Sta. Lucia and
Barangay San Bartolome
10. Pioneered the establishment of Quezon City Hall “Yakap” Day
Care Center for pre-school children of City Hall employees
11. First City Mayor in the Philippines to declare Quezon City as
“Mother-Baby-Friendly” City by promoting breast feeding
12. First and only City Mayor to be elected by his peers Chairman
of the Metro Manila Authority for three consecutive terms

As CHAIRMAN of the Metro Manila Authority and concurrent Mayor
of Quezon City:

1. Chaired the Inter-Agency Committee on Justice
2. Initiated the release of detained accused, who could not afford
to file bail and had already served half of the penalty for the
crime, resulting in the detention, if finally convicted
3. Supported livelihood training for inmates, health and ministry
visitations by City health personnel and parish priest
4. Recommended the designation of judges and inquest fiscals
to act on applications for Bail on a round the clock basis
5. Coordinated with the Director of the Integrated National
Police in the acquisition of modern fire fighting equipment
for the cities and municipalities of Metro Manila
6. Initiated the Barangay LAKO and KADIWA rolling stores
which assured the availability of prime commodities at the
lowest prices possible
7. Coordinated the construction and completion of the Light Rail
Transit (LRT)

Ismael A. Mathay Jr.: The man, the public servant

Throughout his political career, MEL MATHAY, has not only shown experience but the ability to communicate and show true concern for the people he serves.


With a distinguished record of government service: in local government as Vice Mayor and a three-term Mayor of Quezon City; in the legislative as assemblyman and congressman of Quezon City’s 4th District and as Vice Governor of Metro Manila and Chairman of the Metro Manila Authority, his legacies are unequalled, achievements of enduring character and integrity benefitting not only the City of Quezon and its people today but onwards toward the future.

As Congressman of the 4th District and during his campaign for Mayor of Quezon City in 1992, MEL MATHAY fought against the projected 300% increase in real estate assessment in Quezon City. The tax increase was aborted as a TRO was obtained from the Supreme Court, signed by the late Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan, on the grounds that it was excessive, arbitrary and unconscionable.


During MAYOR MEL MATHAY’S first term in office, there was no increase in taxes in Quezon City. Efforts were made to use whatever resources where available. For the first time the Local Government Code allowed borrowing of funds, and MEL MATHAY authorized a loan for the Quezon City government which was obtained at the lowest prevailing interest rate from the Philippine National Bank based on the city’s strong financial statement and revenue potential. Funds from this loan were then used for basic services, the construction of 80 school buildings and 1,500 classrooms, the repair and construction of road networks, health centers, multi -purpose covered courts and street lighting. In addition, MAYOR MATHAY worked to totally renovate the Quezon City Hall, which had been badly damaged from a disastrous fire in 1988 and had only four floors that were usable, upon MAYOR MATHAY’s assumption into office in 1992.
At current costs, it would take more than P5billion to accomplish and meet all of these requirements.

MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

“If not for MEL MATHAY’s vision, resolve and determination several important infrastructure projects today would not have been possible.”


When MEL MATHAY was Vice Governor of Metro Manila he was instrumental in pursuing the completion of the first rail base mass transit (LRT 1) from Bonifacio Monument (Grace Park) to Baclaran. There was aggressive, strong objection to the project from jeepney drivers and operators on their claim that they would lose their only livelihood; even threatening that “blood would flow” if the project was to push through. Through a series of dialogues and consultations, MEL MATHAY assured the jeepney drivers and operators that whatever happens they will not lose their livelihood because the expanding Metro Manila population cannot all be accommodated in LRT 1. They finally agreed to the project. Today, more than 25 years later, the jeeps still run the Monumento-Baclaran route.

The connection of LRT 2 to LRT 3 to Marcos Highway (Marikina) passing through Aurora Boulevard, QC was fully supported by MEL MATHAY, as MAYOR of Quezon City. This enabled the portion from Marcos Highway to Anonas to be built underground which resulted in easing the flow of traffic in the area.



Clearing of the North Triangle area from thousands of informal settlers and their relocation, at great risk to MAYOR MEL MATHAY’s political career, led to the development of the MRT 3 Depot Station and what is today, TRINOMA, which has provided employment to thousands and expanded the city’s revenue base.

With LRT 1 plus the ongoing construction connecting MRT 3 at EDSA/North Avenue and the existing connection of LRT 2 to LRT 3 which runs all the way to Baclaran, you will have a mass transit that would be moving almost 1 million passengers per day due to the interconnection.

MEL MATHAY was instrumental in the continuation of C5 from Katipunan/ Escopa through a flyover towards Katipunan /Ateneo which was realigned after having a series of dialogues with the Sisters of Sta. Clara wherein the sisters agreed to relocate their convent to its present site. This resulted in the straight alignment of the flyover.

Mindanao Avenue, which upon assumption of MEL MATHAY to his first term as Mayor was only up to Project 6 and Barangay PagAsa, was extended up to Congressional Avenue and later on up to beyond Quirino Avenue. Today, this is being extended all the way to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Malinta/Valenzuela Interchange and has been designated as the realigned C5, which has been stuck behind UP. Providing a much needed alternate route to the North Luzon Expressway.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS



Mayor MEL MATHAY was the lynchpin to change the land use of the area known today as EASTWOOD CITY, the first business cyber center and a benchmark model of development in Metro Manila, from industrial to commercial and residential. Mayor Mathay pushed for the development and provided all the necessary support to Megaworld to facilitate the Eastwood City Development.

It was MAYOR MEL MATHAY who upheld the ownership of the University of the Philippines (UP) from a syndicate who laid claim to certain parcels of the university along Commonwealth Ave. through a falsified and fake Transfer Certificate of Title, obtained when all records of the City’s Registry of Deeds were destroyed during the fire at Quezon City Hall in 1988. MEL MATHAY, as Mayor of Quezon City and concurrent Metro Manila Authority Chairman prevented the takeover, notwithstanding a police contingent supporting the takeover of the property in an attempt to build a fence over the claimed area. This area is where you now have the UP Ayalaland Techno Hub, a joint venture with Ayala Corp. It was MEL MATHAY’s mission during his three terms as Mayor of Quezon City to preserve and protect the University’s original campus of 500 hectares in behalf of his Alma Mater. In recognition of his efforts, UP bestowed upon him the GAWAD PHILIPPINES’ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in 2009.

It was MAYOR MEL MATHAY who supported the development of North Fairview with the entry of two major commercial business institutions SM North Fairview and Robinsons malls, with patronage extending all the way to Caloocan and Bulacan. This has resulted in a huge revenue enhancement for the city along with the establishment of more business enterprises in the area.

HOUSING

Through the efforts of MAYOR MEL MATHAY, the Quezon City government acquired land which was eventually bought by PHINMA and through a joint venture built the SMILE Cityhomes with 5-storey socialized housing of 1,500 units.

To settle a violent conflict between informal settlers and the landowner, MAYOR MATHAY managed to convince the owners to sell their property in order to accommodate and set up the Sitio Mendez Habitat for Humanity project, providing homes to 450 residential beneficiaries. A predecessor of Gawad Kalinga, the homes were built by the residents themselves with the help of Habitat for Humanity.

Mel Mathay's vision for Quezon City

“Never clip the wings of your dreams... for they are the heartbeat and freedom of your soul.”

It has always been the desire of MEL MATHAY to serve and continue uplifting the lives of the people of Quezon City. His advocacy is “MAMAMAYAN MUNA” – The People Come First.

Running as an independent candidate so that people can choose whom they think is best. MEL MATHAY seeks to implement a people-friendly atmosphere in the city government while providing the utmost transparency. Providing programs and projects that are responsive and beneficial to the people’s needs while focusing on generating jobs and livelihood for the unemployed, a solution to the drug abuse problem, peace and order in our communities , more aggressive disaster preparedness and rescue programs and improving the quality of education among our students.

Program of Government

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

To achieve socio-economic progress and growth, MEL MATHAY plans to:
Expand commercial and business centers similar to EASTWOOD CITY or the METRO CENTRO in Cubao, which he developed during his incumbency, to ensure income generation for the city as well as increase job opportunities for the people.
Study and revise the income tax structure, which affects both small and big businesses as well as occupational licenses and permits.
Provide business assistance to those establishing businesses in the city through technical support and advice (from business set up to marketing and financing).
Pursue and expand livelihood programs, small and medium enterprise development.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Educational Programs



A recently published UN Report stated that the quality of public school education in the Philippines is behind Tanzania and even Zambia. It is in this view that MEL MATHAY seeks to:
Upgrade the quality of instruction in the city’s public schools through special re-training courses for teachers in Math, Science and English.
Enhance benefits for teachers as incentives. During MAYOR MEL MATHAY’s incumbency, a P2,000. supplementary allowance was given and is still in effect up to today.
Build more classrooms. Class sizes which used to be 80-85 pupils per classroom can be reduced to 45-55 pupils per classroom.
Expand the scholarship programs to include even masteral courses in specialized studies.

Health Services

Continue modernization of the Quezon City General Hospital.
Expand the Novaliches District Hospital and consider setting up hospitals and medical facilities in other districts.
Increase the number of barangay health centers and improve their facilities and services.
Activate the anti-drug program through the QC Anti-Drug Abuse Council for the prevention of drug abuse and the effective control of the distribution of drugs in the city.

Social Services

Expand the coverage of Medicap and Medicare and referral services with the cooperation of both private and public hospitals in the city.
Revive the medical hospitalization assistance program at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Build more socialized housing with the continuation of the Community Mortgage Plan.
Provide livelihood assistance programs. Expanding skills training at the QC Polytechnic University.
Enhance programs for various sectors including the elderly, special children, street children and juvenile delinquents.

Public Assistance Services

Provide quick assistance in times of calamity and emergencies.
Institute and coordinate disaster preparedness programs in the different barangays – to include: dredging of waterways, creeks and esteros, informing residents of risky areas to relocate to safer locations, designating evacuation centers, etc.
Improve public transactions with the city government involving tax payments, business license and permits processing through one stop and express lanes.

HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT

Institute anti-corruption measures in government practices through re-training and education of Quezon City Hall personnel on moral and ethical standards.
Grant more incentives to Quezon City Hall employees. Upon MEL MATHAY’s assumption into office in 1992, Mayor MATHAY without increasing taxes instituted salary standardization of city hall employees with salary classification, years ahead of the national government.

PEACE AND ORDER



Continue to assist and support the Central Police District in terms of equipment, communication and transport facilties.
Improve police to population ratio.
Encourage more active BSDO support and assistance to the police.
Improve traffic management in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority.


INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS

Build more and rehabilitate interneighborhood road networks.
Build more schools and health centers.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROMOTION PROGRAM

Improve waste disposal management and operations.
Install a waste management facility to include flood control.

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Support the performing arts in the city’s schools, barangays and academic communities.
Establish a museum in cooperation with the University of the Philippines.

SPORTS AND ATHLETIC PROGRAM

Improve the Amoranto Stadium facilities for sports and athletics.
Expand the Youth Sports Program.