MANILA, Oct. 27 (PNA) - Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim announced Thursday the inauguration of two more Manila City Hall satellite offices in Tondo and Tayuman by next week in his bid to promote better and direct service to the people.

Lim will open the Tondo Satellite Office on November 6 2007 at the Tondo Sports Complex and the Tayuman Satellite Office on November 8 at the City College of Manila Annex Building.

The mayor designated City Administrator Jesus Mari “Jay” Marzan as over-all supervisor of all satellite offices. The city government will establish similar offices in the three remaining congressional districts of Manila.

“We expect these satellite offices to deliver the basic services that are asked of it by our people without hassle, without delay and definitely, with no money involved. Walang lagayan (There is no bribery),” Lim said.

The establishment of satellite offices or Mini City Halls in the six districts of Manila is part of Mayor Lim’s 11-point agenda. This is also provided for in City Ordinance No. 7792 which allows the creation of a City Hall District Office under the Office of the Mayor in each of the legislative districts of the city and allocating funds thereof.

The objective of the satellite offices is to expedite the delivery of services to the residents of Manila and make it less expensive, more expedient and convenient.

Documents such as birth certificates, police clearances and other permits can now be easily obtained through the satellite offices.

According to Marzan, each satellite office shall serve as the extension office of the City Mayor and other offices and departments of the city government that shall, among other things, accept business transactions on license fees, business permits, birth certificates, marriage license fees, death certificates, tax payments and other related transactions which shall be determined by the Office of the Mayor. (PNA)

Surnames count in Manila’s council
Courtesy of Manila Standard Bulletin
By Tony Macapagal

Having won the presidency of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Manila chapter, Philip Lacuna automatically becomes a member of the city council, making three Lacunas in the legislative chamber.

As sectoral head, he represents almost 900 barangay units.

Philip joins his kin, who have been elected to their second term, Dr. Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna Pangan and architect Danilo Victor “Dennis” Lacuna Jr.

The three councilors are children of former Vice Mayor Danilo Lacuna, who lost the mayoralty race in May 2007 polls to returnee Mayor Alfredo Lim.

The Lacunas are evenly matched with three Isip councilors—Ernesto “Jong” Isip Jr., Cristina Isip, and Maria Lourdes “Bonjay” Isip Garcia.

Cristina is the aunt of cousins Jong and Bonjay.

In his view, council presiding officer Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (real name Francisco Domagoso) sees the dynamics of the body politic at work.

“With the presence of the Lacunas and Isips, the city council is now one big family. Take note, too, that other councilors are relatives or close kin, as well, of former Manila politicos,” reckons Moreno, himself identified with the Lacuna camp.

At least 10 come from a political clan—Ernesto Dionisio Jr. (son of former Councilor Ernesto Dionisio Sr.); Erick Ian Nieva (son of former councilor and Rep. Ernesto “Banzai” Nieva); Ivy Varona (daughter of former Councilor Danilo Varona); Carlo Lopez (son of Rep. Jaime Lopez and nephew of former Mayor Mel Lopez); Edward Maceda (son of former Senate President Ernesto Maceda Sr. and younger brother of former Councilor Ernesto Maceda Jr.; Jocelyn Quintos (wife of former councilor Wardee Quintos); Amalia Tolentino (wife of former Councilor Gerino Tolentino Jr.); Corazon Gernale (wife of the late Councilor Roger Gernale); Raymundo Yupangco (nephew of former Mayor Lopez); and Sangguniang Kabataan president Rusell Ibay, another sectoral delegate (son of former Councilor Ric Ibay).

While bloodline is pronounced in the council, personalities in the entertainment world and a marked presence of the Chinese-Filipino cannot be glossed over.

Emerging from the cinema and arts are Moreno, Councilors Abel Viceo (film producer), Ma. Monina “Pipay” Silva (wife of the late Councilor Larry “Pipoy” Silva, actor Yul Servo (real name Marvin Nieto), and comedian Lou Veloso.

Not to be outflanked, the Chinese-Filipino bloc is led by Councilors Moises Lim, Arlene Koa, Rolando Sy, Numero Uno Lim, lawyer Joel Chua, Dr. Louisito Chua, and successful businessman Luis “Joey” Uy.

Counting on their managerial acumen are true blue Manileños.

Making waves as key players from the business sector are

Councilors Dennis Alcoreza (meat processing), Rolan Valeriano (oil and by-products), Victorino Melendez (printing press), Rafael Borromeo (restaurants and bars), Roderick Valbuena (talent promotion), and Marlon Lacson, the president protempore and top ranked among the 36 elected councilors (dry goods).

The councilors who rose from the ranks of barangay/village chiefs are Ramon Morales, advocating volunteerism in firefighting; Josefina Siscar, the female “Dirty Harry” version of Mayor Lim; and Jocelyn Dawis Asuncion, former president of SK-Manila chapter.

Completing the namedropping are Councilors Manuel Zarcal, son of fearless and decorated retired Manila policeman, the late Col. Timoteo Zarcal; and Ernesto Rivera, the only member coming from the first council in 1988.

Mayor Lim firm on clearing city of illegal vendors 
Courtesy of Manila Bulletin
By ROY C. MABASA

Despite the onset of the Christmas season during which vendors abound on the streets to sell their wares, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said yesterday he wants the city free of illegal vendors, particularly in Divisoria, Quiapo, and Sta. Cruz.

The mayor said he is bent on putting teeth in the implementation of the city ordinance against illegal vending because this, he believes, would ease traffic in the city, especially now that shoppers would be going to the malls and retail stores to buy Christmas presents for their loved ones. 

Lim added that the enforcement of the ordinance should be genuine, and not selective. Only those who have been given special permits are allowed in certain areas in the city 

"I believe that the presence of vendors in the three-meter space is only a privilege given by the city," he said. 

Such privilege, however, is only temporary and does not give the vendors the license to forever use the streets, Lim stressed. 

Vending within the three-meter space on the sidewalk of every market in the city is illegal and, therefore, prohibited. 

The city ordinance against illegal vending also prohibits any person who peddles, hawks, sells, offers for sale, or expose for sale any articles on the passageways used by purchasers in any city market. This is to avoid unjust competition.

Peddlers or hawkers shall not be permitted to offer for sale, in the city markets and their surroundings within a radius of 200 meters where goods are sold or exposed for sale in the stalls, of booths of city markets, neither shall they be permitted to expose or sell merchandise on sidewalks, courts (patios) or places designed and intended for passage of the public to the city markets. 

Lim stressed, "If they can show proof, we will stop."

Atienza sinisisi ni Lim sa P1.4-B deficit ng Maynila

He may be tough as nails when its comes to criminals thus earning him the moniker "Dirty Harry" but Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim undeniably had a also has a soft spot for his fellow Manilenos. With his 100 days now behind him the chinky-eyed local executive believes there are more difficult tasks ahead in his three-year tenure to live up to his promise of enshrining Manila to its lofty throne as the Philippines’ premier city.

Early life

Lim was born December 21, 1929 to Alfredo Lim of Manila and Rosario Sojo of San Miguel, Bulacan.

He attended primary education at the P. Gomez Elementary School, high school secondary education at Far Eastern University and college at the University of the East with a degree in business administration and law.

He earned his Masters in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines.

Foray in public service

He began public service as superintendent of the Philippine National Police Academy from March 1984 to January 1985. His leadership skills earned him the post of director of the Northern Police District from January 2, 1985 to May 1, 1986 and of the Western Police District from May 2, 1986 to December 21, 1989.

Immediately after his retirement from the police force in Dec. 21, 1989 with the rank of Major General, Lim was appointed director of the National Bureau of Investigation.

In the 1992 elections, Lim ran and won as Mayor of Manila.

He won reelection in 1995 with a margin of 250,000 votes, the highest majority of vote in the city’s political history.

Lim’s political clout did not stop there as he was named Secretary of Interior and Local Government from January 8, 2000 to January 19, 2001.

Lim ran for president in the 1998 elections but lost. In the 2004 polls he was back in the political limelight when he won as Senator with a six-year term until 2010. He however cut short his term when he decided to reclaim his office in the seat of government of the city of Manila in the last May 2007 elections.

Achievements

A multi-awarded public servant and be-medalled police officer, Lim was given numerous recognitions the most notable are:

1. The first policeman to receive seven Ten Outstanding Policeman of the Philippines (TOPP) awards given by the Philippine Jaycees in July 12,1990.

2. Most Outstanding Law Enforcer awarded by the Consumers Union of the Philippines in November 12, 1990.

3. 1994 Gintong Ama awardee for Government and Public Service.

4. Mayor of the First Peace City in Asia by the Rotary Club of Kooringal, Wagga Wagga Australia c/o Rotary Club of Manila in June 1994.

5. President Osmena Most Outstanding Public Servant awardee in 1992.

6. Outstanding Manileno for Public Service in 1986 (Law Enforcement)

7. Outstanding Achievement Medal in 1995 for professional competence as PNPA superintendent.

First 100 days

For his first 100 days Lim focused his governance on the following:

City site development such as reopening of Avenida, Rizal to traffic; clearing of sidewalks; removal of beerhouses along Baywalk and reopening of the Museo ng Maynila;

Fight against crime and corruption such as demolition of Little Vietnam in Quiapo; removal of corrupt officials; and honest to goodness collection of taxes;

Rewards and benefits to city employees such as reclassification of employees from temporary to permanent and promotion of those who are qualified whose promotions have been with held for the past nine years;

Promotion of good culture such as promotion of Filipino hospitality and cultural values and

Education such as free tertiary education at he Pamantasan ng Maynila and City College of Manila and likewise free education to dependents of policemen.