President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Nicolas Torre III as the new general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Malacañang announced Friday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed the appointment, adding that Torre replaces outgoing general manager Procopio Lipana, who served in the role for more than three years.

The MMDA welcomed the move, with chairperson Don Artes describing Torre as a “welcome addition” to the leadership team.

“Gen. Torre will be a big help to the agency,” Artes said in a statement Friday. “The MMDA remains committed to continuing its mission of ensuring safe, efficient, and orderly mobility and development in Metro Manila with the appointment of Gen. Torre.”

A career police officer, Torre brings extensive experience in urban security and inter-agency coordination to the MMDA, which is tasked with supervising and regulating metro-wide concerns such as traffic management and flood control.

The appointment comes months after Torre was relieved of his post as PNP chief in August following a disagreement with the National Police Commission.

Marcos previously stated that Torre’s departure from the police force was linked to a refusal to comply with commission orders regarding the reassignment of senior officers.

The MMDA expressed its appreciation for Lipana’s service as it transitions to the new leadership.