Born on 20 January 1964 in Manila, Melquiades A. Robles is a music educator by education and a public relations practitioner and entrepreneur by profession that has recently turned to full time public service when he formally took the role of Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator.  A former Member of the Board of Directors of IBC TV 13 and LRTA as Private Sector Representative, he was the only administrator who came from the board and the youngest at the age of forty (40).  He took his post graduate training from Ateneo de Manila University in Makati under the ?Professional Managers Program? in 1992 and continuously enriches his knowledge by attending seminars and conferences related to transportation and corporate governance. 

He demonstrated determination and resoluteness in instituting relevant policy reforms and re-engineering LRTA to adapt to the emerging challenges of the time.  Drawing on his previous experiences in the private sector that includes a stint in mass media, Mr. Robles? dedicated and proactive approach to improving LRT operations has already brought about significant transformations and development in LRTA and its operations.  He was also responsible for successfully bidding out to private advertising concessionaires the single biggest ever non-rail revenue contract of the authority. 

Under his supervision, patronage for the LRT Line 1 System continued to exhibit a steady pattern.  He also made possible the realization of the government?s goal to create an integrated mass rail transit system by fast-tracking the construction of passenger transfer facilities between and among the various LRT/MRT systems in the metropolis.  Likewise under his leadership, LRT Line 2 was made available to the public months ahead of schedule. 

Even under fire from various quarters for his firm stance in controversial/ sensitive issues/ policies, Mr. Robles continued to work and focused his attention on urgent issues and concerns.  Late last year, he has made possible the implementation of the LRT Line 1 Capacity Expansion Project II ? Package A.  The project has already been delayed for a number of years but thanks to his untiring efforts, the project has just recently taken off towards target completion by the latter part of 2006. 

With the continued growth and expansion of the urban areas in Metro Manila, mass transit systems will surely become the central mode of transportation for the entire metropolitan area.  Despite the numerous difficulties and challenges currently being faced by the LRTA, Mr. Robles believes that providing quality transport services to the people is what matters most and he will continue to persevere to introduce improvements, innovations and reforms to ensure the continued operations of the safest, fastest and most efficient transport system in the metropolis.