Media Bureau
July 31,  2008

LIM CREATES COMPOSITE TEAM OF INSPECTORS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim created a composite team of inspectors, utilizing the Mayor’s Complaint and Action Team, to conduct inspections of business establishments engaged in prostitution, pornography and exhibition of lewd, indecent and immoral shows.

Executive Order No. 30 cited the need to create a team with members from the different departments such as the Bureau of Permits and Development Office, Manila Health Department, Bureau of Fire Protection and City Treasurer’s Office. 

The team shall be composed of Benigno Bagalbado from BPDO, Camilo Vergara from Manila Health Department, Efren N. Bercena from Bureau of Fire Protection and Tiboy M. Velina from City Treasurer’s Office.

The EO shall serve as their mission order to carry out and perform only the specific task stated, subject to the following conditions:

a). The name and location of the establishment to be inspected must be specified, which information should be furnished the Secretary to the Mayor one day before the inspection by the team.

b). The team shall, upon reaching the establishment, immediately advise the Secretary to the Mayor or the Office of the Mayor of its arrival and relay the result of its inspection.

c). The team shall not demand nor accept any amount and anything of value, including foods, drinks or services from the establishment. 

d). The team shall pull out from the establishment after completing its task.

e). The team shall submit its report to the Secretary to the Mayor within 24 hours after conducting its inspection.

f). It is appears in the course of the inspection that a crime—specifically prostitution, pornography and exhibition of lewd, indecent and immoral shows—is in fact being committed, the composite team may forthwith arrest the offenders and confiscate the illegal items.

“Any violation of the order shall render any member of the team subject to immediate suspension or relief and administrative sanction, including dismissal from service without prejudice to criminal prosecution,” the Mayor said.

The Mayor added that the Mayor’s Complaint and Action Team, headed by (ret) Col. Franklin Gacutan, was created precisely to conduct inspection of business establishments engaged in illegal and unlawful activities subject to the conditions provided in the said E.O. 30. (By: Manila Media Bureau)

Media Bureau
July 25,  2008

INNER WHEEL CLUB WANTS TO HELP IN LIM’S PROJECTS

The Inner Wheel Club of Manila called on Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning to express its interest to help in the Mayor’s pro-poor programs for city residents.

Headed by socialite Daisy Payumo, the 6-member Inner Wheel delegation, told the Mayor they are willing to explore every area of the Mayor’s priority agenda where “we could help in whatever form,” Payumo said.

The Mayor expressed his gratitude for the timely support that the group wants to offer “coming at a time that the city has a budget deficit of P1.4 billion.”

One possible area is livelihood, which the Mayor said the city helps fund by providing “puhunan” through the Manila Department of Social Welfare for internal sectors.

Among the livelihood projects that Inner Wheel wants to look into are: reflexology, handicraft making, massage classes, basic computer for out of school youth; cosmetology and others. 

Another is the feeding program of the Manila Health Department in Day Care Centers and elementary schools of City Health Officer Dra. Marie Lorraine Sanchez, which costs the city P5,000 for an arroz caldo meal for hundreds of children. “Ang arroz caldo namin ay tulad ng lasa ng sa 5-star hotel,” the Mayor said.

Still another is the dental and medical mission, which can augment the assistance provided by the four city-run hospitals and 48 health centers with all medicines and consultations free of charge to Manila residents.

Comprising the delegation is Payumo, President; Marivic Ubaldo, 1st Vice President; Felycris Banguis, 2nd Vice President; Lita Goño, Secretary; Tina Carlos and Tessie Tumangan, Presidential Advisers; New Member, Rep. Zenaida Angping and feeding program head for Parola, Vicky Weeniki. (By Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

Media Bureau
July 25,  2008

14 RESIDENTS NEAR VITAS ABATTOIR COMPLAINED OF FOUL ODOR

When City Hall officials took over last July 11 the Vitas slaughterhouse that was leased to Dealco Farms Inc., sanitation inspectors surveyed the residents nearby 14 of whom complained of persistent foul odor, especially at night, coming from the estero at the back of the slaughterhouse where waste water was being dumped all these years.

A report submitted to Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim by City Health Officer Dra. Marie Lorraine Sanchez cited the findings of Elivitt B. David, Sanitation Inspector III, who also reported that the waste water treatment plant left by the city in the facility had not been used by Dealco, opting instead to dump its waste water into the estero thereby endangering the water supply of households (during floods and high tide) and the marine ecosystem of the Manila Bay as well. 

Dealco, owned by Delfin Alcoreza and his children (including City Councilor Dennis Alcoreza), signed a 25-year lease with the former city administration to rehabilitate and modernize the 22,000- square meter slaughterhouse, which it did not comply with. It also failed to remit monthly rentals, the 1-percent city share from revenues and real property taxes to City Hall worth over P43 million. It also sublet the facility with the concurrence of City Hall to Meatworld International Inc., a meat processor and importer, also owned by the Alcoreza with Dennis as its president.

“It was only when the takeover team came from City Hall, led by Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman and City Legal Officer Atty. Renato de la Cruz, that Dealco and its sub-lessee, Meatworld operated the waste water treatment plant,” David said.

The 14 residents who complained of foul odor were: Jeofrey Laguerta; Precious Muli; Alicia Alarza; Nilo Eleja; Elson Santoile; Wilfredo Mendiola; Teresita Mendiola; Helen Mejeza; Riza Homoding; Reynaldo Balbuena; Amparo Arazon; Mayla Cruz; Azucena Abejero and Mary Grace Ragudo.

These residents expressed gratitude for the city’s takeover which they said they expect to improve the quality of air in their surroundings, Dra. Sanchez said.

Other findings of the sanitation inspectors during the July 11 takeover were:

· Obnoxious odor was sensed at the main slaughter section and at the waste water treatment facility.
· No proper area for washing vehicles with animal manure.
· No proper space or area for garbage.
· Waste water facility, when inspected from June 26 to July 4 was not operating but only during the takeover.
· Unsanitary facilities and clogged drainage in the main slaughter area and the stairway is slippery with green 
  algae (lumot).
· The personnel were found working without personnel protective equipment (PPE), a global standard and local 
   requirement of the National Meat Inspection Commission.
· The personnel are not provided with health certificates.
· The establishment is operating without sanitation permit.

David said she gave City Legal Officer Atty. De la Cruz her report on the previous inspections—prior to the takeover—of the Vitas slaughterhouse for appropriate action.

Media Bureau
July 24,  2008

LIM THANKS PAGCOR FOR HELPING HIS PROGRAMS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning thanked the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for supporting his programs for the youth like the feeding and anti drug abuse campaign at the launch of the “Sagip Musmos” feeding program (from now until December 2008) at the Justo Lukban Elementary School.

The Mayor said he will mobilize the city’s personnel to fully support PAGCOR’s campaigns in the city which actually began in 2003 with the launching of the Batang Iwas DrogA (BIDA) program by former Dangerous Drug Board Director Anselmo Avenido

“Sumusuporta ako sa proyektong ito ni Chairman Genuino, para magtagumpay kayong mga kabataan sa inyong pag-aaral, dahil paano kayo makakapag – aral kung mahina ang inyong mga kalusugan” Lim said.

Although PAGCOR is implementing said programs nationwide, it opted to launch them in Manila being the “most aggressive and active” supporter of the youth, said PAGCOR Chairman Ephraim C. Genuino.

PAGCOR is promoting BIDA—twice a day all over the country-- using 5 super hero characters to enjoin children to not even try using drugs. It aims to educate all public elementary students, ages 6 to 12, on the effect of illegal drugs with the view of attaining a drug-free Philippines by 2010.

“Tuloy – tuloy sa lahat ng distrito ng Maynila ang proyektong ito, tayo’y lalaban sa ipinagbabawal na gamot para malabanan natin ang kahirapan sa tulong na rin ni Mayor Lim,” Genuino said. 

BIDA has enlisted 148,000 members in 48 elementary school in Metro Manila who will distribute 1,000 copies of comics-like reading materials every quarter in all elementary schools.

Students will be given free application forms for an identification card so they can participate in BIDA Olympics, annual Jamboree, Council and Concert activities. “Sa ganitong paraan, matutulungan natin mailayo ang mga bata sa ipinagbabawal na gamot, at para maging malusog ang bawat isa sa kanila,” Genuino added. 

PAGCOR soft launched in Manila some months back at the Aurora Quezon Elementary School . The formal launch took place this morning at the Justo Lukban Elementary School with 4,000 students in attendance. J. Lukban is the 7th elementary school to be the recipient of this project.

PAGCOR said it will hold monthly charity bingo sessions to fund the supplemental feeding program of the Department of Social Welfare through the Sagip Musmos from August to December 2008.

Teacher and students of J. Lukban were given free tickets to WANDERS, a musical show, as gift of PAGCOR for their overwhelming support to their project. (By Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau).




Media Bureau
July 21,  2008

LIM HONORS APOLINARIO MABINI, THE “SUBLIME PARALYTIC”

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning honored the 144^th birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, known as the “Sublime Paralytic,” for overcoming his family’s poverty and his physical handicap in finishing a law degree from the University of Santo Tomas in 1894. The following year, Mabini was admitted to the bar and was designated Colegial of the third class.

The second of eight children of peasants Inocencio Mabini and Dionisia Maranan, Mabini was born on July 23, 1864 in Barrio Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas, the Mayor said.

He finished his Bachelor of Arts in 1887 at the College of San Juan de Letran with a partial scholarship and working as teacher of Latin at the school of Melchor Virrey and his law studies at the UST from 1888 to 1894 by teaching and working as copyist in the Court of First Instance in Manila and later as assistant to the law clerk Numeriano Adriano and as clerk in the Intendencia General.

“Si Mabini ay halimbawa na ang kapansanan sa katawan at ang karalitaan ng sinuman ay hindi sagwil o hadlang sa pagtahak sa landas ng kabayanihan at kadakilaan,” the Mayor said. (Mabini is the best example of physical disability and poverty are not hindrances to aspiring for heroic goals in life.)

“Maraming nag-aakala ng pagiging malaya, sa paraang mabuti man o masama ang kanilang balakin na gawin; malaking pagkakamali ito. Malaya ka lamang kung tama ang iyong gagawin. Hindi malaya ang magnanakaw kung siya ay nagnakaw, sapagkat hinayaan niyang hikayatin siya sa masamang gawain, kaya’t hindi niya natanggap ang kalayaan,” the Mayor quoted Mabini’s words. (A lot of people think that to be free, means using the right or wrong means is justifiable. But they are wrong. The robber is not free if he robs because he allows himself to be deceived into believing what is crooked).

“Sa panahon ngayon maraming tao ang hindi na alam kung anong tama at mali . Mas marami na ang gumagawa ng mali kaysa sa tama. Baliktad na ang panahon ngayon. Kabilang sa mga tamang Gawain and pagtulong sa kapwa at paggalang at pagtimpi sa sariling kagustuhan alang alang sa pagunlad ng bayan,” the Mayor said. (People nowadays can no longer discern what is right from wrong. A lot of them choose to do wrong than right such as helping other people in need, respecting and controlling ones desires in favor of what is good for the majority.)

He asked the people to give importance to the heritage of our heroes since they gave up their lives for the sake of the country.

In the City of Manila , “baliktad na lalo na sa politiko, mas inuuna pa nila ang kanilang pansariling pangangailangan o kapakanan kaysa sa pangangailangan ng mamamayan,” the Mayor lamented. (In the City of Manila , public servants work for their selfish interest first before that of the people).

There were two wreath laying sites for the Mabini birth anniversary celebration—one in Quirino Avenue , beside the Ospital ng Maynila and the other inside the campus of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The Mayor attended the one beside Ospital ng Maynila while Gemma Cruz-Araneta, OIC of the Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau led in the other site. (By: Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

Media Bureau
July 21,  2008

CITY HALL FILES GRAFT CASE VERSUS ALCOREZA AT OMBUDSMAN

City Administrator Jesus Mari P. Marzan this afternoon filed graft charges against City Councilor Dennis Alcoreza for conflict of interest and failure to divest his interest in Dealco Farms Inc. and Meatworld International Inc., his family’s companies that operated the abattoir in Vitas, Tondo for 8 years but failed to pay whatever rentals and incomes are due the City Hall.

Marzan was accompanied to the Ombudsman’s office in Quezon City by City Legal Officer Atty. Renato de la Cruz and Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman.

Dealco Farms Inc., owned by Alcoreza’s father, Delfin, entered into a 25-year lease with the former city administration to rehabilitate and modernize the 22,000 square meter facility and maintain it in accordance with health and sanitation standards set by the National Meat Inspection Commission.

Alcoreza was elected councilor of the first district on May 14, 2007 and assumed and discharged the duties and functions as such. 

Without the consent of the City of Manila and in violation of the lease contract, Dealco transferred the lease and management of the abattoir to Meatworld, a meat processing company. Dealco and Meatworld have the same incorporators, the children of Delfin Alcoreza, including Dennis, “thus the veil of corporate fiction is properly pierced,” Marzan said.

Meatworld was earning billions each year but failed to remit to the city its share of 1 percent, plus rentals and other obligations.

Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019 or the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act defines corrupt practices as: (a) causing any undue injury to any party, including the government, or giving any party unwarranted benefits… in the discharge of official, administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence and (b) directly or indirectly having financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity or in which he is prohibited by the Constitution or by any law from having any interest.”

Alcoreza is liable since “through Dealco and Meatworld he had been reaping unwarranted benefits under the contract without complying with their obligation to pay the city 1 percent share of said gross income for 2002 to 2007. Further, Dealco and Meatworld were able to evade payment of real property taxes for 2004 to 2007,” Marzan added.

Dealco also sublet to Meatworld the management of the property, without the consent of City Hall and the latter installed a spacious fitness gym and recreation center, again without prior consent of the city, Marzan said.

Alcoreza had “full knowledge of the transgressions of Dealco and Meatworld, being the officer and director, which are injurious to the city and its constituents in terms of unsafe and unsanitary foods and unrealized revenues, and yet he did nothing to correct the situation but instead kept silent in the hope of not being discovered,” Marzan stressed.

“Being a councilor whose prerogatives include the ratification and investigation of violations ‘in aid of legislation’ of contracts entered into by the Mayor, he had impliedly allowed the City to suffer injury on account of the numerous violations of the contract to protect his personal interest and those of his family members in the operation of the Veterinary Inspection Board facility,” he added.

Alcoreza took over the administration and operation of the slaughterhouse under Meatworld despite the fact that nowhere in the contract with Dealco was there any provision of “unilateral transferability by Dealco to another company not party to the contract.”

In maintaining his shareholding, business and pecuniary interest in the 2 corporations and holding the position of president of Meatworld and director of Dealco, Alcoreza violated the divestment rule under R.A. 6713 since his proprietary interest necessarily conflicted with his position as councilor and member of the City Council.

“Granting that his councillorship took place after the surreptitious subleasing to Meatworld and his holding shares in Dealco, it was incumbent upon respondent, as councilor, to inform the city of such subletting and divest himself of all interest in Meatworld and Dealco,” Marzan said.

“During the sensationalized takeover and recovery by the City of the abattoir, respondent publicly, openly and vigorously avowed his financial and material interest in the corporations and vehemently opposed and refused to give up the slaughterhouse which is a glaring indication of his determination to uphold and protect his personal and proprietary interest over and above that of the City’s,” Marzan said.


Media Bureau
July 21,  2008

CITY HALL TOOK OVER GRAND BOULEVARD HOTEL JULY 9

As everyone followed intensely the takeover by City Hall of the Vitas abattoir last July 11, only key officials of the city knew of the “quiet” and “dignified” takeover last July 9 of the Grand Boulevard Hotel, which had back taxes for the past 10 years to the city of P276 million.

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim announced the takeover of Grand Boulevard to city employees during the flag ceremony saying that City Hall is bent on collecting unpaid taxes from business establishments to close its budget gap of P1.4 billion.

“Why it took so many years for the taxes to be uncollected beats me. Kami ngayon ang naniningil. Hanggat ako ang mayor ng Maynila ipatutupad ko ang mga batas,” the Mayor said. (We are collecting what they failed to collect in the past administration. For as long as I am Mayor of Manila, I will enforce all the laws).

“This has a bearing on you people. You are asking for additional bonuses. But where will get the money. We have a deficit of P1.4 billion. So help us collect,” the Mayor said.

The Mayor lamented that “when you collect the taxes due the city, you are being called a devil by some people. 

The Mayor then called City Treasurer Erlinda Marteja to report on the taxes being collected by City Hall. Marteja said the city has conducted 29 auctions after issuing warrant of levy against those with outstanding obligations to the city. She said in the first batch of those covered by warrants of levy, there were 100 delinquent taxpayers. The second batch has 300, Marteja said.

Mayor Lim said the city is not zeroing in on the Vitas abattoir in its collection efforts. “We are running after all delinquent taxpayers by intensifying our collection of their obligations due the city.”

“I do not want to increase taxes because people already are too burdened financially. But the City Council wants to raise revenues by new tax measures,” the Mayor said. (By Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau)

Media Bureau
July 21,  2008

MAGSAYSAY HS CHOIR SERENADE LIM, CITY PERSONNEL 

Instead of the usual speech of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim immediately after the flag ceremony, Mayor Lim and City Hall officials and employees were serenaded this morning by the Ramon Magsaysay High School Choir, second placer in the recently-concluded Hongkong International Youth Choir Festival with songs like “Only You” and ‘TL Ako sa Iyo” popularized by Sharon Cuneta.

Before the song numbers, the Mayor thanked the Ramon Magsaysay HS Choir for “doing the City of Manila and the Philippines proud with their second prizes for both categories: folklore and mixed voices competing against 36 countries.”

The Mayor funded their plane fares, their accommodations and meals and sent them P11,000 each pocket money, which they said “helped them bring pasalubong for their parents.”

Aside from Mayor Lim, those that provided financial support to the choir were Congressman Asilo with P25,000 and City Schools Superintendent Dra. Ma. Luisa Quiñones.

“It is in such competitions that we are able to showcase the special skills of our students,” the Mayor said as he urged the R.Magsaysay HS Choir to do its best again in another coming competition.

At the same time, the Mayor challenged the city officials and employees to engage in a “friendly competition” within departments by showing our skills and being productive in our respective offices, instead of just “engaging in useless crab mentality and downgrading each other’s performance through idle chatter.”

He took the occasion to remind everyone that the “youth is the hope of our fatherland as he urged the students to be more productive, study hard and compete well in whatever endeavors you are best at.”

He also thanked the teachers, principals and other school officials “for molding the youth well and teaching them the proper values they need in their adult years.”

Mayor Lim said “the city will support all participation in competitions where we can showcase our students’ skills.” (By Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

Media Bureau
July 18,  2008

MEAT COOP THANKS LIM FOR VITAS TAKEOVER

The Vitas Meat Dealers Multi Purpose Cooperative (VMDMPC) this morning thanked Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim for the city’s takeover of the Vitas slaughterhouse, which was leased for 25 years by the previous administration to the Dealco Farms Inc. in 1999 on condition that Dealco would undertake rehabilitation and modernization of the facilities.

A signed manifesto of support to Mayor Lim and the City Hall’s move, the VMDMPC said: “Ang kamakailan kaganapan sa pag-aalis sa Dealco sa pamamahala ng matadero ng Vitas ay isang matapang at makatuwirang hakbang ng Lungsod ng Maynila sa pangunguna n gating kagalang-galang na Punong Bayan Alfredo Lim. Ito ang naging hudyat ng katarungan na matagal na inaasam ng mga kapwa nating mangangalakal sa larangan ng paghahayupan.” (The recent takeover by the City and ouster of Dealco in managing the Vitas slaughterhouse was a most courageous and reasonable move by the City of Manila under Mayor Alfredo Lim. This paved the way for a just management of the slaughterhouse, we meat dealers have only been praying for all these years.)

“Sa ilang taon na nagdaan ay naranasan natin at nasaksihan ang marumi, malupit, makasarili at maling pamamahala ng Dealco sa matadero ng Vitas,” the statement said. (For so many years, we have lived with the stench, the cruel and selfish administration of Dealco for the Vitas slaughterhouse).

“Huwag natin sayangin ang pagkatataon ng binigay sa atin ng ating Punong Bayan sa pagpapalaya sa atin mula sa mali at makasariling pamamalakad ng matadero ng Vitas,” it said. (Let us not waste this opportunity given us by the Mayor that liberated us from the previous wrongful and selfish administration of Vitas slaughterhouse.

The group’s members could not contain their show of support and gratitude to Mayor Lim for heeding their call to reform and clean up the administration of Vitas through takeover by City Hall.

The manifesto was submitted during a call early this morning, which was followed by a No Holds Barred session at the National Press Club. The manifesto was signed by the 11 meat dealers slaughtering their animals at Vitas.

During the call, they said that under Dealco, they were made to use manual ways of butchering the animals while the state of the art equipment was deprived of their use. Yet, the dealers said they were the ones bringing business to Vitas before. (By Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau). 


Media Bureau
July 17,  2008

LIM CITES IMPORTANCE OF PROPER NUTRITION

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning cited the importance of proper nutrition on a person’s health as he urged the parents to make sure that they feed their young well so that they will grow up to become strong and productive citizens of the country.

At the celebration of the Nutrition Month and the launch of the Nutri-Costume Contest at San Andres Sports Complex, the Mayor urged parents and children to put a premium on good health since “staying healthy is more important than becoming rich.”

“What will you do with money if you are sick or if you are very thin,” he said.

He thanked City Health Officer Dra. Marie Lorraine Sanchez for her feeding program in the different health centers and “corners of the city because this is a great help in alleviating the economic difficulties of Manilans.”

As before, Lim urged the parents to take good care of their young and make sure that they finish their elementary to college so that “in the future they will be the ones to look after your needs.”

“If your children get sick, we have the health centers you can go to. There are doctors and nurses to look after your well being. We also provide free medicines to the indigent patients,” the Mayor said.

Those who attended the feeding program in San Andres were Dra. Sanchez; Arlene M. Manzo, OIC District Health Officer of District V the parents and children enlisted in the feeding program and the candidates to the Nutri Costume contest from the different health centers of the city. – (By Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)

Media Bureau
July 17,  2008

3 MAIDS HOUSED IN MYRC TO RETURN TO MINDANAO

With the help of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and Cavite Gov. Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi, three maids who fled their employers in Cavite last June and were captured and surrendered by the Manila police to the Manila Youth Reception Center (MYRC) will soon fly back to Mindanao a lot richer. 

Gov. Maliksi collected the unpaid wages of maids—Regine Valencio and Jacquiline Dialel, 17—from their employers and gave them P5,000 financial assistance while Mayor Lim initially gave each of them P1,000 cash and groceries and promised to buy their plane tickets bound for Iligan and Lanao del Norte. 

Dialel was not paid P6,000 (for six months) by her employer while Valencio’s unpaid wages amounted to P8,000 (for 8 months). They were also threatened with bodily harm should they report the matter to anyone. 

Being Muslims, they wore malong so they could escape without being detected, reported Jay de la Fuente, OIC of the Manila Department of Social Welfare, which runs the MYRC facility. 

Prior to the launch of the Justice on Wheels (JOW) program last July 9 at the City of Manila, Mayor Lim visited and talked to the maids at the MYRC where he learned about the maids’ plight. He immediately ordered de la Fuente and Atty. Romeo Caerme of the Administration division of the Office of the Mayor to coordinate with Gov. Maliksi about their mission to collect the wages and things of the maids. 

On learning the maids’ story, Gov. Maliksi immediately summoned the employers and demanded the maids’ wages and personal items left in their houses. Not able to raise the cash, the Governor advanced the unpaid wages and gave P5,000 for each maid along with their personal belongings. 

The Mayor ordered his staff to book the plane tickets for Pagadian City for both maids and their colleague, a neighbor’s maid who went with them to Manila , will fly back with them to Mindanao . (By Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau)

Media Bureau
July 16,  2008

CITY HALL’S ENERGY USE DOWN BY OVER 21,000 KWH

Long before the national government launched its switch to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), the City of Manila , on orders of Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, has shifted to these environment-friendly and energy-saving lighting systems, hence reducing its energy usage from lighting alone by 21,445.38 kilowatt hours (KWH).

President Arroyo and the Department of Energy launched this morning the national switch-on from fluorescent to CFL lights in all public offices at the Philippine International Convention Center, which was attended by Mayor Lim. The program was also ceremonially held at every city and municipal offices of the country, including the Manila City Hall by City Administrator Jesus Mari Marzan.

The City of Manila pilot-tested the CFLs in Dagonoy Public Market with 25 pieces of 36 watts and in the Pablo Gomez Elementary School with 56 pieces of 36 watts. 

City Electrician Office Acting Chief Engr. Lorenzo Alconera reported to City Administrator Marzan that of the 3,838 pieces of 40-watt (magnetic ballast) fluorescent lamps, a total of 2,401 pieces of 36 watts (electronic ballast) CFLs have been installed in over 100 offices, hallways and comfort rooms of the 5-story City Hall (excluding the tower clock, which uses the equivalent of halogen lamps).

This enabled the city to reduce its energy bill from 36,476.35 KWH from the 40-watt bulbs to 15,212.73 KWH from the 2,401 pieces of 36 watts it installed.

Its 92 pieces of 20 watt fluorescent bulbs will now be switched to 18 watts of electronic ballast CFLs and others like 5 to 18 watts. 

The electronic ballast lights, highly recommended by the DoE, do not have ballast loss factor that magnetic ballast lights have.

Phillips initially donated 30 boxes (of 25 CFL bulbs per box) to the City Hall for trial in its building. This is now part of the total CFL bulbs that were installed at the 5-story City Hall building. (Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau)

Media Bureau
July 15,  2008

PNP-MPD LAUNCH LIM-DISCIPLINE ZONE 2 IN DIVISORIA 

The City of Manila , the Manila Police District and Philippine National Police this morning launched the Lim-Discipline Zone 2 program at the Bonifacio Monument in Divisoria along Claro M. Recto by ridding the road of all forms of obstruction like vendors, parked vehicles and other eye sores.

The entire stretch of Dagupan to Legarda Streets were cleared of all obstructions that cause traffic mayhem and unsightly litters thereby discouraging people to buy at bargain rates their necessities from Divisoria, said MPD Director Gen. Roberto Rosales.

Discipline Zone 1 was launched last May 26 in Tayuman area in an effort to decongest the road of such obstruction.

Rosales said the program is sustainable and will not be an on- again off- again thing “to call the attention of all stakeholders in the vicinity to protect their areas and clean their surroundings of unsightly people and obstructions so their business can prosper. The discipline zone will be in operation at the day and night markets.”

Part of the conditions for putting up discipline zones are: the perimeter must be kept clean at all times; operators must be active witnesses to crimes committed near their areas and in cases of pickpocket and snatchings, the business operators must cooperate and report such incidents to the police immediately or they will be asked to leave the area, Rosales said.

“We want to maintain the discipline zones as clean and orderly as possible by involving all the stakeholders to become active partners of City Hall and MPD,” Rosales said.

“Ibalik natin ang kalye sa mga motorista at ito ay possible lamang kung may discipline at leadership ang bawat isa sa atin,” Rosales said. (Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau)

Media Bureau
July 15,  2008
EX-PBA COACH NORMAN BLACK TO HOLD TRY OUTS IN MANILA

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim vowed to attend the launch of whole-day try-outs for would-be professional players from the City of Manila this July 18 at the San Andres sports complex from 8 a.m. The other whole-day is tentatively slated for Aug.8.

Former Philippine Basketball Association player-coach Norman Black paid a call on the Mayor at City Hall accompanied by ABC-5 Assistant Producer Marilette Jose and Nino de la Cruz, chairman of Manila Sports Council, where he informed the Mayor of his sports program for the city.

The purpose of this program is to give a break to potential players who have never joined and played for any professional basketball leagues like the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Philippine Basketball League and others and help them achieve their dream of being a future professional cager.

From the try out, Black will pick out the top 10 from among all participants, try them out again for the top mythical five and from these five, he will pick out the most valuable Pinoy (MVP), Black said.

Being an MVP is a sure step to the professional league but MASCO’s de la Cruz said he would request Black if the future professional cagers could come from the top five, not just the MVP.

Interested applicants for the try-outs may pre-register by calling 890-3989, 897-8228 or 0922-8235409 or email their applications (name, age and address) at mymvp2008@yahoo.com. Qualified applicants are Filipinos from 18 to 35 years old. (By Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau)


Media Bureau
July 15,  2008
LIM LAUDS PGH’S PROSTHETIC PROGRAM FOR INDIGENTS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning praised the Philippine General Hospital’s prosthetic program for indigent patients, which enables the amputees to live a normal life despite their disability. 

Speaking at the 30th anniversary of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week and the UP Manila Centennial Year Celebration with theme “ Kung May Access, May Success,” Mayor Lim said he was surprised watching on television a patient with artificial legs but joined the track and field competition. “ kaya humanga ako sa patient na yon,” he added.

He expressed his gratitude that PGH now has a lot of room for patients seeking to be admitted as it has a full complement of doctors and nurses who attend to all kinds of people—rich and poor alike. “ They give full their medical attention and take good care of the patients,” the Mayor said.

Prosthesis is the process of implanting fake or artificial ( usually made of aluminum alloy) arms or legs on the patient to help him go on with life like any normal person. At PGH prosthesis is provided even for indigent patients, the Mayor stressed.

He said this procedure has given new hope for all the amputees. “ Malaking tulong ito para sila ay makalakad muli,” the Mayor said as he thanked the PGH Medical Group and its sponsors for making such a procedure available even to those who can not afford it.

Those who attended the program were members of Physicians for Peace in cooperation with UP Manila College of Medicine and PGH Prosthetic Service including Dr. Teresita Joy P. Evangelista, Chairman of the Rehabilitation Medicine of PGH; Dr. Carmelo A. Alfiler, PGH Medical Director; Dr. Monalisa L. Dungca, Assistant Training Officer of Rehabilitation Medicine; Josephine R. Bundoc, Committee Chairman of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week; Dr. Juan M. Montero II, trustee of the Physicians for Peace USA and Mary Kwasniewski and Gail Grisetti, Physical Therapists from the Physicians for Peace USA.



Media Bureau
July 11,  2008
CITY HALL TAKES OVER VITAS ABATTOIR

On orders of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, City Hall took over the operations of the 22,000 square meter Vitas abattoir, the largest and supposedly most modern slaughterhouse in the country that was previously leased to Dealco Farms Inc. but was left in a state of disrepair.

The City Legal Office, headed by Atty. Renato de la Cruz, led the team that took over the facility from Dealco and saw firsthand the state of disrepair and neglect of the slaughterhouse that teemed with animal manure and blood, most of which were being dumped in the Manila Bay.

Executive Order No. 24, signed by Mayor Lim, cited the various violations of Dealco on the lease agreement, among them the lack of proper sanitary facilities and dumping of animal manure on the bay.

Under the agreement with City Hall, Dealco committed to modernize the facilities and equipment but never did, de la Cruz said.

City Hall was informed about the unhygienic condition of the abattoir by the National Meat Inspection Commission, which is the regulator of all slaughterhouses and animal holding facilities.

Atty. De la Cruz also said Dealco sublet the facility—particularly the spacious second floor area designed for slaughterhouse office operations—to Meatworld International Inc., which put in a physical fitness facility, again in utter violation of the contract with City Hall. The team also found out that Meatworld, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, earned from its operation over P1.5 billion in 2006 and over P1.3 billion in 2007. One of the board members of Meatworld is Dennis Alcoreza, a son of Delfin Alcoreza, owner of Dealco.

When the facility was still operated by City Hall, a wastewater treatment facility was put in place but Dealco never used it and opted to throw the wastewater right into the bay, Atty. De la Cruz said.

Aside from the City Legal Officer, other City officials present during the takeover was Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman, City Administrator Jesus Mari Marzan, (ret.) Col. Carlos Baltazar, head of the Department of Public Service, City Engineer Armando Andres, Engr. Francisco Co, designated to manage, supervise and oversee the operations of VIB and a police contingent. (Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau)



Media Bureau
July 11,  2008
LIM HONORS ATANG DE LA RAMA

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim today honored Honorata "Ka Atang" de la Rama, national artist known for her music, zarsuela and kundimans, on her 17th death anniversary at the Manila North Cemetery as he vowed to finish the Metropolitan Theater next year to serve as a venue for all students to stage their plays, dance and songs for public viewing.

The Mayor also hailed Atang de la Rama, "Queen of Kundiman and Zarsuela," for the values she shared in her musical and literary masterpieces which talked about moral values that the youth of today would learn a lot from. Her husband, Amado V. Hernandez or Ka Amado is also a national artist.

He stressed he greatly values occasions that extol good moral values contrasting it with current realities saying "lahi ng mapanlinlang ang panahon natin ngayon. Nakakahiya naman para sa mga estudyante na nandito ngayon kung ang ipapakita natin sa kanila ay puro panlilinlang at karupukan ang ipaiiral.. Na dapat nating ipakita ay ang lahing pili at tunay na Pilipino." (Our society today is one of lies and deceptions, what a shame for the students assembled here, when what we should be showing and living up to are the good traits of the Filipino people).

He paid tribute to de la Rama's efforts to bring her art all over the country despite the absence of mass media, like television. "In her desire to project her country and the heroism of those before her abroad, she sang kundiman and other Filipino songs in her concerts in Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Hongkong, Shanghai and Tokyo."

He said the youth of today must watch wholesome entertainment. Humanap tayo ng taong may likas na kalinangan at maipagmamalaki natin sa bayan para buhayin at gunitain ang mga ginawa ng mga naunang bayani." (Let us find someone who is worth our respect and adulation and who can produce works to immortalize our heroes). 

He asked the youth to research and review the lives of national heroes for a better appreciation of the importance of their sacrifices for the country. 

As usual, he reminded the students to study, study and study very hard and to pay their debt of gratitude to their parents and elders. 

Those who attended the program were: Dra. Ma. Luisa Quinones, School Superintendent of DepEd-Manila; the principals, teachers and students from Esteban Abada High School, F.G. Calderon High School, Manuel L. Quezon High School; Ms. Gemma Cruz Araneta;OIC Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau; National Historical Institute Deputy Executive Director Emelita Almosara; Dr. Jocelyn Denoga, physician-in-charge and representatives of the de la Rama Health Center Aleli Marcelino and Felix Bautista, descendants of Ka Atang and City Councilors Arlene Koa and Moises Lim of District 1. 


Media Bureau
July 9,  2008
CITY JAIL BECOMES PILOT FOR JUSTICE ON WHEELS
Report from Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau

The City of Manila became the pilot project of the Justice on Wheels (JOW) project of Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, which is designed to improve the access to justice of those who could least afford it; those who are 70 years old and above and detainees whose cases have been pending longer than the prescribed detention period for their cases. The project is also intended to declog the overcrowded city jail and other holding facilities of the city. 

The P8-million truck which served as the court sala for the SC’s JOW Project was ridden by Chief Justice Puno with a judge, full court retinue and several lawyers going to the Manila City Jail along Lope de Vega Street in the morning and at the Manila Youth Reception Center in the afternoon.

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim led city officials in participating in the JOC project. The City Legal Office, headed by Atty. Renato de la Cruz, sent two lawyers and clerical staff aside from coordinating the activity among the Supreme Court, the City of Manila and the Manila City Jail and MYRC. 

On hand to try cases that have been pending for several years were Regional Trial Court Judge Reynaldo Ros and Metropolitan Trial Court Judge Roslyn Tria. Two cases of inmates who are old enough to continue staying in jail and whose case has remained unresolved for so long were dismissed on the spot by the attending judges.

Chief Justice Puno took the opportunity to meet all 50 Regional and Metropolitan Trial Judges where he stressed that the Justice on Wheels Project is aimed at improving the access to justice by the poor. 

He said what he saw at the City Jail “strikes the conscience. This does not just happen in Manila but all over the Philippines ,” Puno added.

Puno directed all the judges to “go to the City Jail and look into the plight of our inmates.” He also raised his concern about the rampant planting of evidence, especially of drugs, by members of the police.

He ordered the judges assembled to work out a faster dispensation of justice in Manila . “Where Manila goes, the entire nation goes. We will start here,” Puno said.

He told Mayor Lim that if last year the concern was on extra judicial killings “this year let us shift our focus on the socio economic rights of the poor and increase their access to justice.”

Two inmates were released yesterday and the cases of several other inmates were dismissed on the spot. 

The Manila City Jail holds 4,602 male inmates of which 268 are Muslims (when its capacity is only 2,500) and 912 female inmates (when the capacity is only 30 female inmates).

The Justice on Wheels will be operating in the city for the next three months, or the time needed to decongest the City Jail and MYRC. The JOW

Puno asked the judges to speed up the trial of cases because inmates who stay longer at the detention centers become “victims of injustice,” a view which Mayor Lim deeply shares since justice is one of his priority agenda.

The Mayor said three minors—ages 16 and 17 coming Iligan and Lanao del Sur—were maids of two employers who escaped last June since they were not being paid their wages but were arrested after reaching Manila by bus. The Mayor sent a lawyer from the City Legal Office and Manila Department of Social Welfare OIC Jay de la Pena to Cavite to demand the pay of these maids. 

City Legal Office Chief, Atty. Renato de la Cruz said from hereon his office will contribute actively to the conversion of cases and the representation of detainees without counsel to hasten the release especially of those who have overstayed. 


Media Bureau
July 8,  2008
LIM INKS MOA WITH MANILA DOCTORS HOSPITAL

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim signed Tuesday morning with Manila Doctors Hospital and Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto Sobrepeña a memorandum of agreement that adopts the school health program started before by the MDH at Lucban Elementary School , to the Epifanio de los Santos Elementary School (EDSES) on Singalong St. in Malvar, Malate.

As agreed, the Manila Doctors Hospital will provide pediatric doctors, interns and consultants to EDSES to conduct free medical consultations and treatment, free medicines for the school clinic and information and education materials to the school for dissemination to both students and their parents. EDSES has 4,600 pupils.

The Manila Health Department will coordinate the schedule of lectures and other programs in the school; make an evaluation of and recommend enhancements to the program and recognize the training of parents, school health volunteers and women’s groups as part of their career enhancement program.

The Mayor thanked Sobrepeña and Metrobank Foundation Inc. president George S.K. Ty for “doing this project without any publicity, aside from the P3 million budget it allots for implementing the program for the next three years in EDSES.”

“ Taos puso akong nagpapasalamat sa mga taong ito, na may ginintuang puso, kahit nakakaangat na sila sa kanilang estado sa buhay ay hindi nila nakakalimutan tumulong ng walang iniisip na kapalit,” Lim stressed.

He reminded the teachers of his policy not to collect donations from students by doubling the revolving funds of public elementary schools in the City. “Dahil ayokong bigyan ng problema kayong mga magulang dahil apektado ang mga bata, kaya ipinagbawal natin ang paghihingi ng donasyon sa mga estudyante at magulang. Sa inyong mga bata ang trabaho nyo ay mag-aral at magpakabait para matuwa sa inyo ang Manila Doctors at ang Metrobank Foundation, nang sa ganun ay marami pang katulad nila ang tumulong sa mga eskwelahan natin.” 

The signing of MOA was followed by the turnover of comfort room cleaning materials worth P10,000 as part of Brigada Eskwela.

The program was witnessed by officials of MDH, MHD, DepEd Manila and MDH Purple Hearts Club – Giving and Volunteering Employees in Revitalizing Schools (GIVERS) in support of the Health Education Reform Order (HERO) and Brigada Eskwela.

Sobrepeña said MDH will give subsidized or free operations annually for hair-lip disability, cataract, thyroid and Ovary. He also urges the parents to attend the lectures so they can monitor the impact of this program. 


Media Bureau
July 4,  2008
LIM PROVIDES LIVELIHOOD FUND FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

To make the senior citizens of the City more productive and regain their self respect, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim provided initially P5,000 per district seed fund for the livelihood projects of the elderly.

He also acceded to the request of the elderly to be given a schedule in using the sports complexes and open parks in each of the district for their collective exercises, ballrooms and other sports like tennis, basketball and other physical exercises and even livelihood undertakings. These are the Plaza Morga or the Tondo Sports Complex in District 1; the Patricia Complex in District 2; the Rasac Basketball court/Del Pan Sports Complex in District 3; the Dapitan Sports Complex in District 4; the Malate Court (fronting Manila Zoo)  in District 5 and Plaza Dilao in Paco for District 6.

For the meantime, the Mayor proposed an alternative venue for them at the ground of City College of Manila, not at the open space of the Bonifacio Shrine where they (or their livelihood projects) can get wet if it rains.

He said the City will lend the initial capital for the livelihood programs of the senior citizens but they must choose the best leader to head their group in coordinating with the City of Manila .

He became a bit emotional when he cited that the city-funded Boys Town facility in Marikina —designed for orphaned children who now total 400—now also houses 233 senior citizens (which started with only 35 elderly in 1992) mainly because “they are being dumped there by their children and grandchildren.”

 “Sa ating kultura, pinapalaki natin sila ng mabuti at pinagtatapos ng pag-aaral nang sa gayon sila naman ang tutulong at mag-aalaga sa atin hanggang pagtanda...lagi ko itong sinasabi sa mga Graduation Exercises,” the Mayor said. (In our culture, we raise our children well and give them the best education so they can make themselves successful. In turn, they should take care of us when we get old. This is my message in all graduation exercises).

Media Bureau
July 4,  2008
CITY OF MANILA FUNDS MUSLIM TEACHERS

For so many years, Muslim children did not have any formal institute of learning to get a decent education from. They were either absorbed by regular public schools where they learned everything except about the Muslim religion, culture and language.

But now, the City of Manila is funding the operation of weekend Muslim studies in select public schools of the City, where real Muslim teachers will teach the children what they need to know about Muslim language and ways of life and their religion, Islam.

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim is in fact thinking of eventually putting up a school for Muslim students where regular Muslim teachers will teach the Muslim youth about their language, religion, arts and culture.

Around 40 Muslim teachers, the first batch chosen by the Department of Education to ever formally teach Muslim to the weekend Muslim “schools” (every Saturday and Sunday), were gathered Thursday at the Bulwagang Villegas where Deputy Mayor Jose Silva welcomed them and reminded them to “teach the youth well and how to become good citizens of the Republic.”

Along with City School Superintendent, Dra. Ma. Luisa Quiñones, Silva stressed to the Muslim teachers the message that Mayor Lim always tell the city school teachers: “turuan niyo sila mag-aral ng mabuti at ipakita and kabutihan, pagmamahalan at pangalagaan ang sarili nila.” (Teach them well and show them about love, goodness and how to take good care of themselves).

In the city-run public schools you meet all kind of people and religion: Catholic, Protestant, Iglesia ni Cristo and even born- again charismatic movements, etc. 

The Muslim teachers were hired by the city but had to go through the same requirements as teachers in city-run public elementary, high school and universities, Silva said.


Media Bureau
July 2,  2008
LIM DEFENDS SANCHEZ AGAINST “VICIOUS RUMORS”

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim defended Tuesday City Health Officer Dra. Marie Lorraine M. Sanchez against vicious rumors of her supposed ouster in view of an impending reshuffle in the city government. “She never got to head the Manila Health Department simply because she refused to sign a controversial supply contract during the past administration.”

“I don’t know Dra. Sanchez personally and I heard stories about her acts of integrity from other people,” the Mayor said after which he turned to her and asked her personally about it. When she confirmed the reports, the Mayor then said: “From hereon, you will get the item and the post, no longer as OIC but as the real head.”

The Mayor also told hundreds of city health officers, health workers and medical technicians assembled at the Adamson University St. Vincent’s Hall to always serve the poor who come to them for medical attention. “As frontliners and workhorses of the city, you must be able to address the needs of our poor constituents at all times,” the Mayor said.

He asked them to be united so “we will overcome all obstacles and problems as they come.” He told them that healthcare is among his top priority agenda so that Manilans will be able to enjoy access to free healthcare and medical attention.

He said he has increased the budgets of all four city-run hospitals adding that two other hospitals will be built soon to complete the one hospital per district goal of the city government.

Dra. Sanchez thanked the mayor, “mula ng naupo kayo sobra sobrang suporta na ang ibinigay nyo sa health workers, sa budget, facilities, at promotions ng mga tao, kaya dapat tumbasan namin ng serbisyo.” Records at MHD showed that close to 500 were promoted since Mayor Lim assumed in July 2007.

He awarded nine rank and file workers from the six health district offices and three others from the Manila Health Department for their outstanding service. 

Awarded rank and file employees for length of service, diligent performance and being accommodating to the sick were: Jose Bautista, Danillo Rillera, Miriam Pascubillo, Reynaldo Shields, Emma Dizon, Marilou Walo, Antonio Hival, Marina Topacio, Leo Malana, and Serafin Malapaya.

The Mayor also announced that he received two firm commitments for donation for two ambulances from his morning visitors, Manila Economic and Cultural Office Representative Donald Lee. The units will be given to Ospital ng Tondo and Ospital ng Sampaloc. 




Media Bureau
July 1,  2008

LIM RECEIVES VISITORS FROM UST OF CHILE

With the over 397-year old University of Santo Tomas housed in the City of Manila , Mayor Alfredo S. Lim was thus the appropriate local chief executive to receive visitors from the 33-year old Unibersidad de Santo Tomas in Chile , who were brought to him by the Sisters of St. Paul in Manila .

The Mayor was so delighted to play host to his Chilean visitors from the premier university in Latin America as he proudly told them of the other academic campuses in the city.

The UST Chile offers English proficiency courses to would-be teachers, which the Mayor said is also his thrust to provide special training to teachers.

The St. Paul sisters did not pass up the opportunity to complain about the teeming vendors outside the gates of St. Paul in San Andres to which the Mayor promised to make a surprised ocular inspection and determine the best solution to deal with the problem.

“The vendors also need to earn money so we will see how to deal with the problem by widening the entrance gates for students, giving more spaces for pedestrians to walk on and for the vendors to maintain their livelihood,” Lim told the sisters who accompanied the Chilean visitors. 

The Chilean delegation was headed by Sra. Carmen Oria, head of the English opens doors program of the Chilean Ministry of Education based in Santiago , Chile . The Mayor gave her the symbolic key to the City.

Media Bureau
July 1,  2008
CHINA GETS TIPS FROM MANILA ON THE HOSTING OF ASIAN GAMES

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday gave tips on how to become a perfect host to sporting events to no less than the city of Guangzhou , China , the site of the 16th Asian Games in 2010.
In an interview with journalists Wen Li and Zhen Xu of the Guangzhou Daily newspaper, Lim said he was confident of China 's successful hosting of the Beijing Olympics on August 8, 2008 and the Asiad on November 12-27, 2010.
The Guangzhou government is learning from the experience of previous Asian Games hosts as part of its preparations for 2010.

The first official Asian Games was held in New Delhi , India in 1951. Manila hosted the 2nd Asiad in 1954 with the main sporting events held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
"I was a patrolman during Manila 's hosting of the Asian Games in 1954 and I was part of the police contingent that provided security to the Japanese team," Lim recalled.

He added that Manila 's hosting of the Asiad was very successful during the presidency of Ramon Magsaysay and brought with it a lot of economic activities for the country and as well as the added promotion of Manila 's tourist spots.

The Mayor said international sporting events like the Olympics, Asian Games, or the SEA Games provide global athletes with the opportunity to come face-to-face with their counterparts in a friendly competition.

"Sports play a vital role in binding peoples of different cultures and races," he stressed.

He said that the City of Manila considers sports as vital to maintenance of a healthy lifestyle, especially for the youth.

"We look at our children in the City of Manila as future champions or Gold medalists in sports. So, as early as now, we look out for them, we train them and hone their skills," he added.

Lim said that sports complex have been constructed in all the six districts of Manila , including improvised basketball courts in city streets because basketball happens to be a favorite sport of the Filipinos.
"Even our public elementary and high schools have gymnasiums because we want to give our children the basic sporting facilities from which they can train," he stressed.

The Mayor himself leads the city's physical fitness program through regular fun runs or marathons. He played tennis and basketball during his younger years.
He jokingly told the Chinese journalists that despite his advanced age of 78, he could still climb up the stairs to the 20th floor of his residence and this was during the height of typhoon "Frank".
"There was a metrowide power interruption that day and I live on the 20th floor. I had no choice but to go down from the 20th floor by stairs because I had to go around the city and check how my constituents were faring. When I got home after my inspection tour, I went up the same flight of stairs all the way up to the 20th floor!," Lim narrated.

Manila and Guangzhou have a sister-city relationship that was established by former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos during her husband's presidency.