Inihayag ng Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) na inirekomenda nitong maging bagong spokesperson ang aktres na si Ria Atayde at ayon kay MMDA acting chair na si Don Artes, inirerekomenda nila ang aktres dahil naniniwala siyang magiging malaking asset ang dalaga sa naturang government agency.
“I personally recruited Ms. Ria Ataye who graciously agreed. I submitted the application, endorsement to Malacañang for Ms. Atayde to be the spokesperson of the MMDA,” saad ni Artes.
Dagdag pa niya, personal niyang tinanong ang aktres kung ok rito na iendorso bilang MMDA spokesperson at pumayag naman raw ito.
“As qualifications are concerned, she’s a communications graduate from La Salle. I think her work experience is suited for the spokesperson position. And her being a celebrity would be beneficial to the agency insofar as information dissemination is concerned,” pagbabahagi pa ni Artes.
Nabanggit rin nito kung paano ang naging maayos na pag-respond ni Ria noong umani siya ng batikos matapos maging calendar girl ng isang brand ng alak.
“This is the main job of being a spokesperson anyway. The bashing she got when she was hired as a model by a certain brand, she handled it very positively, confidently and I can say that she’s an empowered woman needed by the agency,” dagdag pa niya.
Sa ngayon ay nag-aabang na lamang sila ng update mula sa Malacañang ukol sa rekomendasyon kay Ria dahil nasa pagpapasya nito ang appointment ng spokesperson bilang assistant secretary.
Dalawang linggo na ang nakalilipaz buhat nang ipadala nila ang recommendation.
Si Ria ay kapatid ng aktor at congressman na si Arjo Atayde at anak ng beteranang aktres na si Sylvia Sanchez.
