Media Bureau
June 30, 2008

LIM CONGRATULATES TEAM MANILA FOR PERFORMANCE IN 3^RD PHILIPPINE OLYMPIC FESTIVAL

MANILA Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday congratulated Team Manila for winning 258 medals at the recently concluded national qualifying leg of the 3rd Philippine Olympic Festival at the Rizal Memorial Complex.

Team Manila won 113 golds, 83 silvers and 62 bronze ahead of its closest rivals Pasig City and Quezon City with 113 (51-32-30 gold-silver-bronze) and  110 medals (43-33-34), respectively.

Most of the medals won by Manila came from archery, gymnastics and arnis, which gave the country’s premier city top honors in the Olympic NCR leg.

Earlier, Lim also congratulated Manila athletes who won the championships in the athletics and gymnastics events in the 2008 Palarong Pambansa held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The mayor gave each of the athletes cash prizes of P5,000 for the first place winners; P3,500 for second place; P2,000 for third place and P1,500 for the 4th to 6th places.

He also reminded the champions to study harder, asking them not to forget their studies and to eat the right nutritious food needed to excel when they compete.

Media Bureau
June 30, 2008

LIM LAUDS MANILA'S SATELLITE OFFICES

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning congratulated the "unsung heroes, workers of the City's Satellite Offices" in the six districts who despite budget constraints can still give quality service to the residents and other people transacting business with City Hall.

The Mayor praised the chief of the satellite offices, Genaro S. Herrera for his report that the satellite offices served a total of 486,071 residents of the city since their establishment last year. The satellite offices provided services like medical and dental missions, manpower services (free haircut, reflexology, manicure/pedicure, animal vaccination, feeding program, selling cheap NFA rice and, of late, the distribution of Philhealth cards in District 1.

The Mayor also doubled the calamity fund of the Manila Department of Social Welfare from P50,000 to P100,000 to enable it to serve more the underprivileged and marginalized sectors particularly during crises. He also released an additional computer, air conditioning unit and service vehicle and renewed the contract of casual employees to man the six satellite offices.

A concerned citizen wrote the Mayor expressing his gratitude for the projects implemented by the satellite offices. The Mayor congratulated Manila DSW OIC Jay dela Fuente and Dr. Lorraine Sanchez Director of Manila Health Department for extending their services to all Manileños through the satellite offices.

The Mayor encouraged the Manileños to express their needs as City Hall can not guess what they expect from their government to be more efficient and productive in public service.

Media Bureau
June 28, 2008

BARANGAYS IN TONDO EMBRACE ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Eight barangays in Tayuman, Tondo have completed their trainings for environmental programs like recycling and waste segregation to help the city achieve its zero waste goal as soon as possible. The 8 barangays will be the models for other barangays of Tondo and ultimately the city to follow.

At the formal launch of ALAGA-LAHAT Foundation—an environmental advocacy group founded by actress-commercial model Chin Chin Gutierrez—at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Tayuman, the participating barangays vowed to help spread the word of Zero Waste a battle cry of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim. Environmental management is a priority agenda of the Mayor.

The Mayor was represented at the launch of Alaga Lahat by Roland Lim, chief of the Manila Barangay Bureau along with Godiva Inc.president/CEO Fred Reyes and Carleen Reyes, Chief Operating Officer for Services of Godiva. The company sponsored the training program, workshops and action planning workshops of the project, held at the ICP.

Alaga Lahat stands for lupa, apoy, hangin, tubig at ako that envisions to initially teach the 44 barangays of Tondo on sustainable zero waste programs where participants are asked to embrace recycling as a way of life to help speed up the healing of Mother Earth.

These barangays have already established their materials recovery facilities (MRF) which are junk shops and compost sites for biodegradable (kitchen and garden) wastes.

Tayuman in Tondo is one area that is very congested with large communities of squatters where garbage and solid waste are major concerns. It is also the area where the ecclesial community, through the Immaculate Conception parish headed by Msgr. Cicero Matt Garcia, is very active.

Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act provides for materials recovery facilities (MRFs) down to barangay levels to ensure that recyclable materials will be properly disposed leaving minimal garbage to be collected by dump trucks.

Gutierrez’ foundation will also be going the rounds of school campuses to teach the schoolchildren—down to pre school—not to just throw their garbage but to practice garbage segregation and to value of recycling to help Mother Nature heal itself from pollutants, she added.



Media Bureau
June 26, 2008

LIM TELLS MANILA ATHLETE CHAMPIONS TO STUDY EVEN HARDER

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim honored Thursday morning at Bulwagang Villegas the champions in the recently-concluded Palarong Pambansa 2008 held last April 20-26 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The Mayor gave them cash prizes of P5,000 for first place; P3,500 for second place; P2,000 for third place and P1,500 for the 4^th to 6^th place.

Lim welcomed to his office from the elementary level Maureen Schrijvers of St. Stephen for athletics/girls who got 3 gold and 1 silver plus a special award as the most be-medalled female athlete for secondary level is Rachelyn Astillar of Abad Santos High School for gymnastics who got 6 gold and a special award as the most be-medalled Palaro athlete; Isidro del Prado of San Sebastian College for athletics who got a special award as the most be-medalled male athlete.

The Manila athletes got 20 gold medals, 8 silver and 12 bronze for the elementary level;   for secondary the Manila athletes got 65 gold, 26 silver and 16 bronze.

While congratulating the athletes and their coaches, the Mayor asked them to study even harder and eat the right nutritious food needed for competition and to pick only the beautiful and appropriate dress for their daily appearances.

“Ipagpatuloy ninyong lahat ang tagumpay na inyong nakamit, kahit hindi pa kayo nakakapagtapos, kaya’t pagbutihin ninyo pa lalo ang pag-aaral ng makamit ninyo lahat ng tagumpay,” the Mayor said. (Continue reaping success in sports even if you have not yet attained your goals. But strive as much as possible to attain them in your life).

Present during the awards were: Dra. Ma. Luisa Quinones, City Schools Superintendent; Nino de la Cruz, chairman of Manila Sports Commission; Dr. Evelina M. Viloria, Dr. Lourdes S. Lim and Ponciano A. Menguito Assistant Superintendents.

Media Bureau
June 26, 2008

LIM MEETS SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION

MANILA Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday met a South African delegation headed by Minister Lindiwe Benedicta Hendricks of the Ministry of Water Affairs and Forestry who are in the country to attend a convention on water, women and waste at the Century Park Sheraton.

The delegation, accompanied by South African Ambassador to the Philippines Pieter Vermeulen, paid a call on the Mayor who delighted them with stories of how Filipino  males, though head of the family, bow to the wishes of their wives. "We always say yes to them," he said.

He cited the important role of Filipino women in running the governments. First with President Corazon C. Aquino after the toppling of the Marcos dictatorship and now, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Minister Benedicta Hendricks is in town to share her country's experience and learn about Philippine policies and programs on water and waste management.

Hendricks was accompanied by Ambassador Vermeulen, Parliamentarians Makatse Sophia Morule-Maine and Cornelia Carol September.

On water management, the Mayor said the national government is implementing stringent conservation measures to ensure that supply will not run out due to wastage and systems losses

The government's current waste management policies are aimed at reducing solid waste for the land fill through segregation and promoting zero waste in households and public and private offices.

Media Bureau
June 25, 2008

LIM GIFTS ARAULLO HIGH SCHOOL WITH NEW BUILDING

As part of the 102^nd founding anniversary of Araullo High School in Manila , Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim inaugurated and turned over to the school’s administration a new four-storey building and activity center to augment its current facilities to accommodate the growing enrollees of the school.

The new building was funded by the City government despite its yawning budget deficit of over P1.4 billion, which the Mayor said should not be an excuse for delaying investment in his priority programs foremost of which is education.

The Mayor said the building-- with 15 classrooms and 4 toilets each for male and female, 4 storage areas and 4 faculty rooms-- was built in record time of less than a year worth P60 million because of the urgency of housing an increasing number of enrollees. The total student population is now at 5,000 broken down as: 1,508 for first year; 1,358 for second year; 1,276 for third year and 1,094 for fourth year..

Lim said the building is nothing without the teachers, students and their parents and he asked the students to “study very hard and never to forget to show your gratitude to your parents for all their hardships.”

He disclosed his plans to launch the city’s program on good moral values for the youth at the Araullo High School .

Accompanying the Mayor  during the inauguration were three city lady councilors namely Josie Siscar, Ma. Shiela Lacuna-Pangan and Christina Isip; Manila School Superintendent Dr. Ma. Luisa Quinones; City Engineer Armando Andres, Araullo High School principal Angela Ong and other school officials.

Aside from education, the other priority agenda of Mayor Lim are: law enforcement, health, environment, quality public service, urban planning and rehabilitation, senior citizens program, historical and cultural awakening, better governance and livelihood.

Media Bureau
June 23, 2008

CITY OF MANILA CELEBRATES 437TH YEAR

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim will lead today city government officials in celebrating the 437th anniversary of the establishment of the City of Manila by honoring the city’s top citizens at a reception at he historic Manila Hotel 

As his way of thanking Manileños for their support in keeping the city the premiere city in the metropolis, Mayor Lim is offering today free entrance to the Manila Zoo

The Araw ng Maynila 2008 activities will kick off with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Bonifacio Shrine at 7 a.m. to be followed by a series of wreath-laying activities at the following monuments: Bonifacio Monument at the Bonifacio Shrine at 8 a.m.; the Rajah Sulayman Monument at Plaza Rajah Sulayman in Malate, Manila at 8:30 a.m.; and at the tomb of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi at the San Agustin Church in Intramuros.

Lim will host a breakfast at the Bulwagang Villegas to be followed by the distribution of Philhealth cards at the Tondo Sports Complex.

The Outstanding Manilans for the year who will be feted at a reception at the Maynila Restaurant, Manila Hotel are: Ronald Allan Kelly Poe (posthumous award), Miss Tessi Sy-Coson, Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, Justice Arturo D. Brion, Ambassador Eduardo M. Cojuangco, Jr., Mr. Ramon S. Ang, Atty. Jovito R. Salonga, Mr. Emilio T. Yap, Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, and Sen. Ramon R. Magsaysay, Jr.

On the eve of the Araw ng Maynila celebrations, Mayor Lim led an events-filled day that started with a feeding program and distribution of food to typhoon victims to 600 families in Del Pan, Tondo; the awarding of the Outstanding Employees; the awarding of Outstanding Taxpayers/Establishments in Manila at the Bulwagang Villegas; and the distribution of lot awards to some 259 families in BACORBA, Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Outstanding Taxpayers

The City of Manila honored yesterday its Top 10 Business Taxpayers and Top 10 Real Property Taxpayers for their significant contributions in helping maintain Manila’s stature as the country’s premiere city.

Top 10 business taxpayers are; the Manila Electric Company, SM Group of Companies, International Containers Terminal Services, Inc., Philam Group of Companies, Landbank of the Philippines, Asian Terminals, Inc., Unilever Philippines, Inc./Unilever Foods Philippines Inc., Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, Philippines Ports Authority, and Marina Square Properties.

The top 10 real property taxpayers are: Asian terminals, Inc., SM Prime Holdings Corp., Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, International Containers Terminal Services, Inc., Unilever Philippines Inc., Tutuban Properties, Inc., San Miguel Corporation, Petron Philippines, Robinson’s Land Corporation, and Tri-Union Properties, Inc.

Lim commended the top taxpayers for “being a dependable and conscientious taxpayer, explicitly leading by example with a realistic commitment that goes beyond social corporate responsibility”

“Their immense contributions to the city coffers greatly assure a rapid realization of the city’s development programs and projects, directly benefiting all Manileños” he added.

He assured Manila’s taxpayers that the taxes that they pay the city go directly to the provision of basic health care, free education in all levels, and the maintenance of peace and order.

“Manila is the only city in the country with five city-run hospitals that offer free medical services and medicines. Another city hospital will rise in Manila’s 3rd District before June 2009. By 2010, we should have six city-run hospitals in all districts” he vowed.

Media Bureau
June 21, 2008

LIM THANKS ROTARY FOR 10 PIECES OF "SCHOOL IN A BOX"

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim thanked the Rotary International District 3810 and its affiliate Rotary Club of Tondo for its donation of 10 pieces of "school in a box," a giant box containing books, teaching and instructional materials and personal hygiene tools ( tootbrushes, combs, etc) worth P25,000 per box.

The boxes will be distributed to 10 day care centers of the city located in the depressed areas of District 1, Tondo.

The Mayor advice the day care center workers to select the school children who will receive the contents of the box to only those who could least afford them.

The Mayor - a Rotarian himself - thanked the Rotary International and its affiliate Rotary Club of Tondo for the donation and for helping the depressed families of the city through such material donation.  Officials of RI 3810 and RC fo Tondo present at the turnover were: RI 3810 Past District Governor Lynne Alano Abanilla; RC Tondo 2008 - 2009 President Elisa G. Khan; RC Tondo 2006-2007 President Cynthia R. Evangelista; RC Tondo Community Services Director Marlene Lantin and RC Tondo Membership Director Esther Uy. The "school in a box" project was initiated by the head of Rotary District 3810 leadership in 2006 - 2009.

He said the projects are Rotary are focused on children and the environment and Rotary helps the community by increasing literacy starting at age 3 to 6.

Media Bureau
June 21, 2008

MANILA HONORS OUTSTANDING ARTISTS

The City of Manila awarded Friday night 10 individuals and the Lopez Memorial Museum for outstanding achievements in the field of arts and culture in rites held at the Manila Hotel.

The awards ushers in the celebration of the 437^th founding anniversary of the City of Manila which culminates on June 24, the Araw ng Maynila.

Federico Aguilar Alcuaz was given the highest honor, Gawad Diwa ng Lahi award while Gener A. Caringal was conferred the second highest award, the Gawad Gat puno.

The Parangal Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan awards were bestowed on: Jose Malat Mendoza for sculpture; Romulo N. Galicano for painting; Leo de Lara Rialp for theater; Rogelio G. Mangahas for literature; Leo G. Martinez for film and Jared Jehowil G. Tan for dance.

Special awards were also given to Manuel Maximo del Castillo-Noche,  Lopez Memorial Museum,  and Ana Maria L. Harper.

The awards for outstanding artists were started in 1963 by the late former Manila Mayor Antonio J. Villegas.

The awards ceremony is headed by Gemma Cruz-Araneta, OIC of the Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau.

Media Bureau
June 19, 2008

LIM OPENS NEW PARAISO PLAYGROUND FOR VITAS KIDS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim opened Friday morning the newly-renovated Paraiso children’s playground in Vitas, Tondo which City Hall upgraded to ensure that  children of poor families of Tondo will have a decent recreational area to play in “instead of risking their lives playing on the streets,” he said.

“Ang playground na ito ay para sa inyong mga bata. Nandyan ang mga Boy Scouts at school principals at estudyante sa mga day care,” Lim said.

He added that next week, another well-equipped playground will be put up nearby so that children will have more places to unleash their energies in.

The Mayor said whatever was spent in putting up and refurbishing the playgrounds “came from the taxes paid by your parents and other residents of the city.”

The Boy Scouts will be planting trees insider the playground for shade to be assisted by the City Engineer’s Office, under Engr. Armand Andres and Engr. Deogracias Manimbo.

He asked the students from Nolasco and Tondo High Schools to help plant tall shady trees like mango and kaimito so that children playing there would be protected from the harmful ultra violet rays of the sun.

June 19, 2008
THANKSGIVING MASS FOR MAYOR LIM'S EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AND PERSONNEL OFFICER

MANILA Mayor Alfredo Lim will lead a thanksgiving mass which will be offered by officials from the Manila City Hall after two of their colleagues survived attempts on their life recently.

Organized by city administrator Jesus Mari Marzan and Mayor Lim’s consultants -Milagros Valero of social welfare and Ma. Paz Herrera of health- the mass will be held at the Bulwagang Antonio Villegas at 11:30 a.m and officiated by University of Sto . Tomas priest Fr. James Alamillo.

Family members of personnel chief Josefino Reoma and secretary to the mayor Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas are also expected to be in attendance. Reoma will not be able to make it yet and will instead be represented by his daughter Ilette Rose.

The mass is being offered in the light of the fact that both Garayblas and Reoma luckily survived separate ambush attempts that took place in a span of two months. While the police is still clueless in the case of Reoma, two suspects have been nabbed in the case of Garayblas, even as the gun and the motorcycle used in the crime were recovered by the authorities.

Garayblas was unscathed but unfortunately, Reoma sustained a gunshot wound in the face and has not reported for work since he was ambushed also by motorcycle-riding men last April.

Mayor Alfredo Lim has described both officials as very unassuming and with no known enemies. Garayblas was ambushed by men riding a motorcycle in tandem in Quezon City while Reoma was in a cab when the suspects fired at him through the glass window.

JUNE 19, 2008
ATTY. GARAYBLAS REACTS ON THE STATEMENT MADE BY FERDINAND TOPACIO

The Secretary to the Mayor of Manila, target of an assassination attempt, today, June 19, 2008 challenged a lawyer who hinted that it could be an off-shoot of double-cross, to shed light on the alleged “under the table deals” at the Manila City Hall.

Rafaelito Garayblas is reacting to a statement made by Ferdinand Topacio, Secretary general of the Chinatown Development authority of Manila, in a news item in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “ I suggest that Atty. Topacio faces the investigating body to shed light on the alleged under the table deals between myself and some businessmen.” Garayblas said.

Garayblas said that he welcomes statements made by anyone relevant to the case but instead of sweeping statements, a detailed description would certainly help clear any shadow of doubt, for this matter, on what Atty. Topacio labels as questionable deals. “It appears that Atty. Topacio has access to information that would shed light on the ongoing investigation on the attempt on my life.” Garayblas added.

Garayblas opines that Atty. Topacio appears to have ample knowledge that could lead the solution of the case. If so, he may want to state in detail regarding the alleged under the table deals before the investigating body, where three points may be culled from his testimony:

• if there is truth to the claim of illegal transactions at City hall;

• who are involved and who shall be held accountable and,

• identify the contractor who was involved

Four gunmen in motorcycles fired at the car of Garayblas at the intersection of Quezon Avenue and Araneta while on a stop light in the evening of June 12 as Garayblas was on his way home to Quezon city from Manila City Hall aboard his private car.

JUNE 19, 2008
“GREEN CARDS” ISSUED TO MANILA’S POOR

Green-colored family access cards (FACs) with bar codes were distributed by the Manila Department of Social Welfare and Manila barangay Bureau to the city’s poor families that will entitle them to cheap government rice and cheap medicines from the Botika ng Bayan. The distribution was made by M-DSW OIC Jay dela Fuente and MBB Director Roland Lim.

A total of 34,000 FACs were turned over the City of manila to be distributed to the residents of the poorest barangays in the city. The ceremonial distribution was held at the Patricia Sports Complex in Gagalangin, Tondo, where most of the recipients reside.

The FACs are being issued by the Department of Social welfare in partnership with the National Food authority and the Philippine International Trading Corp. (which runs the Botika ng bayan). Initially, the FACs are intended to give priority to the poorest families to the NFA rice, which in the past had been concerned by the individuals who could very well afford the commercial rice.

Two rolling trucks (or the Tindahan Natin outlets) of National Food Authority rice were on hand for the poor families to buy from, in effect serving as a test on the efficacy of the cards.

The green cards with bar codes are intended for Manila resident are regarded as Beneficiary Identification for Government assistant (BIGAS numbers) for the residents which has 17 reference numbers from three numbering systems.

The numbering systems are the program code of DSW, the Philippine Standard Geographic Code and the household beneficiary number.

Media Bureau
JUNE 19, 2008
CITY OF MANILA TO EARN P80,000 MONTHLY FROM PAY PARKING AREAS AT U.S EMBASSY

City hall will lease out to the United States Embassy for the next three years certain portions of T.M. Kalaw and Roxas Boulevard and the driveway of the Army and Navy Club from which it will derive a monthly rental of P80,000 payable to the City Treasurer’s Office.

The memorandum agreement on the pay parking lease was signed Wednesday by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and by US Embassy Counselor for Management Affairs Catherine Ebert-Gray at the City Hall.

The parking areas will be used for the vehicles of embassy officials, staff and personnel and will cover the northeast corner of T.M. Kalaw Street and Roxas Boulevard, currently used as public pay parking and the parking spaces and driveway of the Army and navy Club.

The lease can be renewed or extended every year once the three-year term lapses.

Officials who witnessed the signing were. Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman, City Legal Officer Atty. Renato de la Cruz and Scott McDonald of the US Embassy.

Media Bureau
JUNE 18, 2008
LIM AWARDS CERTIFICATE OF LOTS TO 231 FAMILIES

MANILA Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday distributed the certificate of lots awards to the 231 qualified families under the city’s Land for the Landless Socialized Housing program.

The Mayor was assisted in the distribution of certificate of lot awards by Manila Urban Settlements Office chief Victoria Clavel, his chief –of-staff Ricardo De Guzman, city administrator Jesus Mari Marzan and city legal officer Atty. Renato Dela Cruz.

The third time in a row since Lim assumed office last year, the lot awarding is part of the week-long Araw ng Maynila festivities which began last Tuesday and will end on June 24.

The distribution of home lots is also in line with the mayor’s Urban Renewal Program integrated in his 11-point agenda for the development of the city.

In early February, housing units were given to 93 deserving policemen, teachers and informal settlers in the Dagupan Medium-Rise Housing project in Tondo.

The housing project is a joint venture initiative of the City of Manila and the National Housing Authority.

Media Bureau

June 17, 2008

LIM THANKS PETRON FOR ITS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning thanked Petron Foundation for its scholarship programs for the city’s poor but deserving students, which it implemented since 2002 with World Vision Inc as the implementer.

At the distribution of cash vouchers to Petron’s scholars held at the Bulwagang Villegas, Lim said the scholarship program of Petron “makes it different from its peers in terms of the nobility of its cause.”

Lim, whose first priority is giving free education to the city’s poor students, also reminded the parents to take good care of their children as he also exhorted the teachers—which he dubbed the secondary parents—to also teach their students well and to take care of them.

He advised the students to study very hard so that when they finish schooling they can help their parents financially.

Petron’s Foundation Project Officer Badeth Pabustan assisted Mayor Lim and Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman in distributing cash vouchers of P5,000 to 1,006 elementary students from districts 1 to 6 and P8,000 vouchers to the first batch of high school scholars numbering 64 (some of them previous scholars of Petron in grade school).

Beneficiaries for the scholarship program came from selected depressed barangays who were previously registered in the day care program of the Manila Department of Social Welfare. They are enrolled in public schools from Parola, Isla Puting Bato, Smokey Mountain , Del Pan, Baseco, all in Tondo, Manila and from Pandacan and Sta. Ana.

The first batch of high school scholars were selected by the Philippine Business for Social Progress.      

Media Bureau
June 16, 2008

JUNE 24 IS SPECIAL NON WORKING HOLIDAY IN MANILA

President Arroyo has declared June 24, 2008—Araw ng Maynila—a special non-working holiday in the City of Manila by virtue of Proclamation No. 1500.

The day marks the 437^th Foundation anniversary of the City of Manila and “it is but fitting and proper that the residents of the City be given full opportunity to celebrate the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” the President declared.

The Proclamation was signed May 9, 2008 but was released only today by Malacanang.

Media Bureau
June 16, 2008

SECRETARY GARAYBLAS ATTENDS DEHECHO MEETING

Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas this morning thanked his boss, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and the other officials of the City Hall for their full support to him and his family after the ambush attempt on his life last week.

He also expressed gratitude to everyone, especially Mayor Lim, for the speedy arrest of the suspects.

He recalled that when he was still a student while walking in the field, he would be walking side by side with a tall classmate who was hit by the lightning. “This is because I am small,” he joked.

“Now I know why God did not make me tall enough otherwise I would have been hit by the assassin’s bullet. This is now my second life,” recalled Garayblas in a jovial mood that made every participant in this morning’s department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) meeting laughed.

He recalled that “because there were four hit men loaded with extra magazines (of bullets), the intention was really to kill me, not just to maim me.”

He came late for the DEHECHO and upon entering the room, the Mayor ordered those assembled to applaud him for surviving the ambush attempt last week.

Garayblas was on his way home to Quezon City last Thursday night when four armed men aboard two motorcycles sandwiched Garayblas’ car and peppered it with bullets while stuck in a red light.

A back up car saw Garayblas’ car being fired at and they fired back killing one of the assailants while the three others escaped on foot. Two have been arrested while undergoing treatment for wounds at the hospital when they were found positive of powder burns during paraffin tests.

The P2,000 a month special pension that Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim announced last February for the Manila’s Finest retirees will soon be released as funds for these have already been identified and proper documentation is ongoing.

This was reported to Mayor Lim during the regular Monday meeting of department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) this morning by City Treasurer Erlinda Marteja.

Mayor Lim explained that only the 1,000 retirees who appointments have been duly signed by the mayor are covered by the special pension and not those whose appointments were signed by PNP officials.

All told, the lumpsum would mean P6 million for the months of April to June although this was announced and approved in February 2008.

Marteja said the 2 sets of uniforms promised by the Mayor to elementary and high school students of city-run schools will be sourced from the special accounts and from the special education fund.

The cost of both sets of uniforms is P84 million, Marteja said.

The Mayor ordered that the cash be released to the students (through the principals) as soon as possible so they will be properly attired in school and they will have time to buy the uniforms from either Divisoria or Baclaran.

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim today said he would look deeper into the ambush attempts of Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas Thursday night and Personnel Department head Jose Reoma last May 12 to determine the motives of the perpetrators.

“Si Secretary Garayblas disenteng tao yan. He always upholds the law, ayaw niya ng kalokohan, ayaw niya ng irregularities. Kaya yan siguro sa pagtupad niya sa kanyang duties. Wala naman siyang personal enemies, pero nagtataka lang ako. Si Reoma, yung personnel chief naming, was also fired upon, ng mga two months ago diba. Tapos ito naman si Secretary Garayblas?” (Garayblas is a decent man. He upholds the law and shuns irregularities. Maybe his slay try in connection with performance of his duties and his beliefs. And so with Reoma, our personnel chief, who was shot at two months ago,” Lim said.

Asked if both ambushes were related, Lim said he would look closely into it. By coincidence, meron ngang ganun. But since one of the assailants was killed, siguro from hereon, we could start the investigation to trace who gave the order or instruction. The two officials have no personal enemies. Garayblas is a silent type. Siguro may mga naiingit yung mga gustong gumawa ng kalokohan. He’s putting his foot down on these proposals.

“Kaya nag-uusap nga kami ni Secretary Garayblas mula kaninang umaga. We are trying to find out who or what be the motive for these (killings),” Lim said.

Lim said he would provide police security to Secretary Garayblas but for now, the Secretary is attending to his injured son, who was hit through and through, the Mayor said.

Lim got irked when asked if he called for a freeze by the Quezon City Police District of the investigation. “Pina Freeze? Who said so? Sinong may sabing ganun? Why would I order to freeze the investigation. Pinakiusap ko nga to speed up the investigation? Pinapunta ko nga si Col. Baltazar, Col. Gacutan at Col. Gutierrez kagabi to coordinate with them dahil kasi doon nangyari sa kanila yun. Why would I order the freezing? That’s crazy.”

The Mayor said he is depending on the statement of Secretary Garayblas which of the proposals he has been turning down would be motivated enough to try to kill him.

The Mayor explained that “Garayblas screens, reviews all appointments, policies and other concerns. He is a lawyer. I believe he has the legal acumen and expertise and character to do so. He has been with me at the National Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Interior and Local Government, Senate and here. I have full trust and confidence in him.”

On a possible revamp, the Mayor said this was discussed last week that “it’s about time to conduct a revamp dahil for 11 months we never touched the officialdom of the city. Kaya sabi ko, we have to improve the services to the public, change for the better, not for the worst.”

On the possibility of another ambush, Lim said “you can't tell what people are thinking. But we have to do our duty, kahit na we might be stepping on someone’s toes. Kaysa magbulag-bulagan sa katotohanan.”

He said on the surface, the ambush try was work-related because “kung personal sino naman magagalit kay Secretary Garayblas hindi naman mayabang na tao. Alam ninyo yun. He does not throw his weight around.”

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, Thursday night received the Chinese community, 80 sacks of rice for the victims of Barangay 123, C.P Garcia St. in Tondo.

The donation will be distributed to the 500 families whose homes were gutted by the fire.

The Mayor thanked the Philippine Chinese Hua Hong Association for hosting the dinner and giving the donation as proof of their “deep and strong friendship between the Filipino and Chinese for many centuries to the present.”

“I am proud to have Chinese blood and you a friend in City Hall that you can count on it if you have problems in Manila.”

But the Mayor had to abruptly cut short his presence at the dinner upon receiving a call about the ambush of City Secretary Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas along Quezon Avenue, Thursday night. The secretary was ambushed by unidentified gunmen riding in two motorcycles as he was heading for home.

Garayblas son, Paulo, however, sustained head injuries and is still in the UST Hospital. One of the suspects was fatally shot on the spot by Garayblas’ other son, Pio, who was riding the back-up car.

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, where Secretary Garayblas teaches, condemned in the strongest terms the ambush try calling it a cowardly act.
 

The City of Manila will honor on June 24, 2008, or the Araw ng Maynila, 15 outstanding citizens for their exemplary dedication and service worth emulation by everyone.

“These are the people whose achievements in their profession or vocation have substantially contributed to the honor and prestige of Manila as the nation’s capital and premier city,” explained Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas, Secretary to Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and the chairman of the search committee.

The search for Outstanding Manilans 2008 was launched recently to give due recognition and award to the men and women who have invaluable and extraordinary contributions for the benefit and development of the city.

Garayblas said that in recognizing the outstanding Manilans, the City government has proclaimed them for emulation by others as appreciation for their contribution to the city and the country as a whole.

The awards guidelines for Outstanding Manilans could be any person or group in the following categories: education, engineering and construction, entrepreneurial leadership, finance, historical and cultural advocacy, humanitarian service, journalism, law, medicine, movie and television arts, government service, science and technology, spiritual leadership, sports and statesmanship.

The awardees will be given a gold medallion, a scroll of excellence citing his outstanding accomplishment and an executive order naming him/her as Outstanding Manilan with the special privileges given during the Araw ng Maynila anniversary.

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim gave out this morning P1,000 “baon” money to special children of Manila who are now enrolled in select elementary and high schools of the city. The recipients include rescued street children, orphans, abused children, working children, children of solo parents and children in conflict with the law coming from the six districts of Manila.

Before handing out the envelopes, the Mayor asked the parents accompanying the recipients to “take good care of your children and keep them away from danger and harm so that when they become successful some day, they will take care of you and your needs when you are very old.”

Reciting the invocation in Filipino, Ma. Precious delos Santos, grade 6 from Legarda Elementary School, thanked the lord and Mayor Lim for the help given them by the City of Manila as she expressed their uniform vow to do their best and study hard so that whatever assistance was given them by City Hall will not be wasted.

“Maaasahan ninyo po, Mayor, na pagbubutihin naming an gaming pag-aaral dahil sa tulong ninyo. Maraming pong salamat,” delos Santos said.

The recipients, numbering 238 came from city-run elementary and high schools, many of them were accompanied by their parents.

Manila Department of Social Welfare OIC Jay dela Fuente said his office has allotted P238,000 for this special program so that more deserving students, now out in the streets, will be encouraged to return to school and make themselves productive citizens.

The Mayor said just last week he gave away school bags, notebooks, pencils and crayons to the students of the school’s elementary and high schools aside from the two sets each of the uniforms worth P300 per student that he is giving for free to help their parents cope with mounting expenses. The Mayor, informed that uniforms from Divisoria cost only P120 a set, said “sa mga anak ninyo na ang sukli para baon.”

The Mayor said he also doubled the revolving funds of schools so that whatever needs to be repaired or bought for the operation of the city schools can be done at once without the usual bureaucratic red tape.

LIM DISMISSES 2 CITY TREASURY EMPLOYEES

True to his campaign to rid the City of undesirable and dishonest people, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim ordered the dismissal of 2 city treasury employees, which investigation showed connived to collect from an Ermita-based shipping agency only P33,429 when the assessed delinquency was P380,000.

Lim said the dismissal of Rociel Gutierrez and Alfredo Silva for dishonesty and grave misconduct should serve as a lesson to other public officers and employees who similarly adopt the same dubious schemes as respondents did.

“Let this serve as a stern warning to all that this Administration will not condone illegal acts,” Mayor Lim said.

“Public office is, and will remain, a public trust. More so with respect to public employees whose duties are fiduciary in nature and, consequently, are subject to stricter norms of conduct and rules of ethics, “ the Mayor stressed.

Armed with a letter of authority from City Treasurer Erlinda Marteja, Silva and Gutierrez went to the office of Golden Eagle Shipping Construction, headed by Mario Pronstoller last May 6, 2008 to look into the books. But they made an assessment, supposedly based on the financial statement of the company with a delinquency of P380,000 which the owner found ridiculously high. They bargained with Pronstoller’s accountant, Susan Austria, until Silva agreed to reduce it to P33,429.

The pay off took place last May 9,2008 at Savory in Robinsons Place, Manila- not at City Hall as mandated by law- and Pronstoller gave marked money to Silva and Gutierrez. Upon getting the money, they went to City Hall, where they were accosted, but they did not surrender the entire amount to the City Treasurer’s office.

MANILA SUPPORTS HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVES

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim said he completely supports the initiatives of the Commission on Human Rights to revive the barangay human rights action centers (BHRACs) so that more Filipinos will be aware of their rights and assert them.

Lim made this assurance in a recent meeting with newly appointed CHR Chairman Leila de Lima who stressed that human rights should start at the barangay levels so that more Filipinos will know how to fight for their rights.

Lim also said the protection of the rights of people is an integral part of good governance.

Since his assumption into office, Lim said he rid the city of abusive employees and officials including the city’s police force in order to show his strong advocacy for transparency in governance that do not violate the rights of his constituents to basic services.

Lim said that successful governance is one which strengthens its policy of protecting the rights of every citizen and promotes democratic processes that uplift the lives of people and bring progress and development.

 
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim ordered the creation of a City Solid Waste Management Board (CSWMB) to develop a sustainable ecological management of solid waste and integrate various plans and strategies of the barangays in solid waste management.

 
The board created by Executive Order No. 21 will be chaired by Mayor Lim and vice chaired by Col. . Carlos F. Baltazar of the Department of Public Services and will have as members the following: Rogelio S. Lim, Manila Barangay Bureau; Atty. Renato de la Cruz, City Legal Officer; Dr. Ma. Luisa S. Quinones, Division of City Schools; Efleda L. Castro, Market Administrator; Victorial S. Clavel, Urban Settlements Office; Jose G. Reyes Jr., Youth Development & Welfare program; Nelson I. Alivio, Business Promotion and Development Office; Engr. Armando Andres, City Engineer's Office; Rodolfo Catu, NGO, Program Secretariat; Manuel M. Zarcal Majority Floor Leader, Office of the City Council;  Philip Lacuna of the Liga ng mga Barangay; the president of SK Federation and a representative each from the recycling proponents and junkshop owners.

The board will also provide the necessary logistical and operational support to the barangays, agencies, departments that shall undertake activities/programs to promote the implementation and enforcement of city laws and ordinances in consonance with RA 9003.

It shall also recommend measures for the preservation of the natural ecosystem and safeguards against pollution.

The board will also review and recommend specific measures or proposals for franchise on build operate transfer agreements with duly-recognized institutions to provide either exclusive or non exclusive authority for the collection, transfer, storage, processing, recycling or disposal of municipal solid waste. The proposals shall take into account appropriate government rules and regulations on contracts, franchises and BOT agreements.

It shall review every 2 years or as the need arises the City Solid Waste Management Plan to ensure its sustainability, viability, effectiveness and relevance to local and international developments in ecological waste management.

In keeping with Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim's thrust to provide free health care services to Manila residents, the Gat. Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMMC) headed by Dr. Evangeline Morales has been conducting free cataract operations that started last May 31, 2008 to June 30, 2008 . GABMMC is located at Del Pan Street in Tondo, Manila .

This month-long free operation is being undertaken at GABMMC by the Universal Peace Federation under its Asian Mobile Medical Services headed by Dr. Primito Chua who selected GABMMC as the beneficiary of its medical mission. GABMMC is in Tondo, Manila.

The medical mission targets to operate at least 5 cataract operations a day. As of now more than 35 patients with a combination of eye cataract and harelip have been operated on since May 31, 2008 , Morales told the Mayor.

The medical mission is composed of group of ophthalmologist, surgeons, internist, dentists and nurses from Korea and Japan who arrived last May 30, 2008 and began treating patients at Parola and Baseco.

The said medical mission was formally announced by Dr. Morales, Director of GABMMC as she introduced the medical mission delegates from Korea and Japan during the flag ceremony this morning at City Hall.

The mission was the first to make use of the newly renovated operating room facilities of the GABMMC, said Morales. Aside from the cataract operation, the mission also offers free circumcision, dental and other medical services.