City of Manila - Lungsod ng Maynila *Website of Manila, Philippines*

2007

2008

MEDIA BUREAU
March 29, 2008

CITY LEGAL TOLD TO REVIEW STAND ON TOBACCO AD CONTROVERSY

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim asked City Legal Officer Renato de la Cruz to review the City’s stand on the tobacco ad controversy affecting the stores displaying panaflex ads within their premises and the absolute ad ban being pushed by the Department of Health and other concerned sectors.

In a meeting held at Lim’s office Friday, DOH Undersecretary Alex Padilla submitted a list of 20 stores operating in the city that supposedly violated the tobacco ad ban from January to March 2008.

The City Legal Officer last Feb.28, 2008 issued an opinion based on the lower court of Marikina’s decision of Feb.14, 2008 interpreting the meaning of “inside the premises” to mean “within the premises” and the “posters, leaflets and others to be posted to also include billboards and signages.”

De la Cruz’s Feb. 28 opinion states: “The City of Manila should honor the ruling of the court of Marikina re the interpretation of the outdoor tobacco ad ban.”

On March 5, 2008 the Office of Solicitor General, representing the inter agency Committee on Tobacco, appealed the lower court’s decision, which in effect makes the decision “neither final nor executory,” de la Cruz said.

Lim instructed Legal Officer De la Cruz “to come up with an opinion that is not too harsh on the tobacco manufacturers but will not also encourage the youth to smoke.”

MEDIA BUREAU
March 28, 2008

CITY HALL PLAYS HOSTS TO 2^ND TRIPARTITE MEETING

In its desire to foster industrial peace and greater productivity in the City of Manila, City Hall decided to host Thursday the 2^nd Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) meeting of the Department of Labor, the labor unions and executives of some 30 to 40 companies operating in the city.

The meeting was held at the Bulwagang Villegas and was presided by City Administrator Jesus Mari Marzan, who addressed the gathering on behalf of Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.

Marzan assured the participants of the city’s all-out support to the activities of TIPC to ensure that “good governance and competitiveness will prevail between the private companies and their workers.”

Marzan thanked the participants for joining forces with the City of Manila, the Department of Labor and Employment and the National Capital Region Manila Field Office (MFO) to make the three sectors--- the government, employers and workers—get together in harmonizing their respective goals to foster industrial peace and prosperity in the city.

Labor unions asked City Hall to persuade the heads of the private companies in the city to attend the succeeding monthly TIPC meetings so that agreements could be reached as regards the different issues between labor and management.

One such issue is the adoption of contractual employees by most companies, who prefer not to regularize their employees to forego payment of benefits and bonuses.

City Hall, however, assured the labor unions all the issues can be threshed out in a two-way dialogue instead of confrontation.

MEDIA BUREAU
March 28, 2008

PROTECTING WOMEN OF MANILA THROUGH PAP SMEAR

In keeping with Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim's thrust to ensure a healthy populace for the city, the Ospital ng Sampaloc launched Thursday a "Pap Smear and Family Planning Campaign" as part of the women's month celebration.

The hospital, tasked by the Mayor to ensure that women of reproductive ages are adequately protected, gathered city employees and constituents in a massive pap smear drive that was coordinated with the office of Congresswoman Trisha Bonoan David.

Ospital Director Dr. Janet del Mundo Tan said women residing in Sampaloc were asked to attend the free lectures conducted by experts on family planning and prenatal care from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free pap smear checks were done during the day.

The campaign is intended to inculcate among ladies and women adequate awareness on the importance of caring for their reproductive systems to ensure lower infant mortalities arising from complications in the reproductive tract.

From hereon, pap smear services will be made available for free every Thursday at the Ospital ng Sampaloc from 1 pm to 4 pm, said Dr. Fabian Millar of the Department of OB-GYNE.

MEDIA BUREAU
March 27, 2008

LIM ASKS WOMEN AUDIENCE FOR 1 MINUTE OF PRAYER TO CORY

In celebrating the women’s month and paying tribute to women achievers being awarded by the Soroptomist International, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim requested his audience at the Bulwagang Villegas for a minute of silent prayer for former President Corazon C. Aquino, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer. It was also Lim’s way of paying tribute to the first woman leader of the Philippines, who was catapulted to the presidency by People Power I at EDSA .

He said the Filipina has gone a long way when the Philippines recently got recognized for successfully implementing millennium goals and gender programs needed to achieve sustainable development.

Lim added that international organizations are now recognizing that in order to grow and be economically independent, women should be empowered.

Quoting Diane Mariechild on women, Lim said: “A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform. That is why today we are going to honor and acknowledge these outstanding women.”

Awarded for their respective achievements by Lim and the Soroptomist International were: Ana Maria A. Bacudio and Dr. Cristina Lim Yuson for education; Josefina V. Chua and Bae Norhaina Lucman for health & sanitation; Zenaida J. de Castro and Kgd. Remedios P. Erana for humanitarian service; Shirley J. Bondoc and Pablita E. Lagasca for livelihood and P/Chief Insp. Teresita V. Lim and P/Insp. Medina V. Olego for peace & order.

Lim acknowledged special guests that included Domingo Yap and Victor Lim of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. and Tomas Ang, Edison Ong, Marcelo Uy and Edsel Bautista of the Chinese Filipino Business Club.

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MEDIA BUREAU
March 27, 2008
LIM URGES PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS TO KEEP ON TEACHING

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim urged public school teachers to keep on teaching despite the lure of foreign jobs and attractive compensations abroad.

Addressing the induction of new officers of the Manila Public School Teachers Association at P. Guevarra Elementary School in Binondo, Lim extolled the important role of teachers in shaping the minds and inculcating proper moral values among their young pupils who are the future leaders of the country.

He also lauded the many sacrifices of teachers in sticking to their profession. “There are some who chose to be married to their teaching profession. Some who opted to forego attractive offers and career paths in other countries and in other fields. A lot more keep teaching despite the low pay and hard work, which is why I chose to increase the allowance of city teachers and the revolving funds of the city schools despite our budgetary shortfall.”

Lim also commended the teachers for sticking around—as contrasted to those who left for foreign jobs—“because you truly deserve being called ma’am and sir by your students whereas those who left are now calling their employers, ma’ams and sirs.”

“I know why you decided to stay put here. Your ultimate happiness lies in seeing your students very successful which is what I am experiencing now whenever I visit and speak before the students of my numerous alma mater,” Lim said.

“Walang Mayor Lim ngayon kung walang school teachers. Wala ring Congresswoman Angping at Ambassador to China Harry Angpin, kung di dahil sa mga school teachers,” which naturally drew the audience to near tears of delight and pride. (There is no Mayor Lim, no Congresswoman Angping and Ambassador to China Harry Angping if there were no school teachers).

He said despite a massive budget deficit, City Hall is ready and prepared to support whatever the teachers and schools need, Lim said.

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MEDIA BUREAU
March 25, 2008

3 MANILA BARANGAYS RECEIVE LIVELIHOOD FROM LIM, DOLE, PSFI

In keeping with the poverty alleviation thrust of the Arroyo administration and Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, three barangays of Pandacan, Manila will be the first recipients of livelihood programs of the Department of Labor and Employment, the City of Manila and Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI).

These are barangays 833, 830 and 834 all in Pandacan, Manila, which will be supplied with equipment like high speed sewing machines, edging machines and button-holers; materials like cotton scrap fabric and thread; tools like needles and scissors to produce high quality rugs which will all be bought by Shell in its operations. Initially, 50 member beneficiaries are included in the program.

Anchored on the memorandum of understanding signed by DOLE Secretary Arturo S. Brion and Mayor Lim, the livelihood program entails a funding of P1.981 million coming from PSFI with P658,700 and DOLE with P1.212 million.

Manila, which has ongoing poverty alleviation initiatives for its constituents, committed to designate an adequate number of LGU staff to assist the DOLE in the preparatory activities and to train in the delivery of DOLE programs and services in the entire city and its barangays.

Shell for its part will hire two project managers to oversee and supervise the implementation of the project: one to oversee production and the other for marketing. he project officer who will oversee the implementation of the project will be compensated by Shell.

MEDIA BUREAU
March 25, 2008

MANILA ASSAILS VALIDITY OF SINGLE TICKETING SYSTEM

The City of Manila assailed the validity of Section 4 of Executive Order No. 712 or the single ticketing system citing that the Constitution vests the local government units with local autonomy, not just administratively but politically as well.

City Secretary Rafaelito Garayblas submitted a position paper before the Metro Manila mayors’ meeting on the single ticketing system in Mandaluyong last Monday morning. The position paper was approved by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and attested by City Legal Officer Renato de la Cruz, which also cited that the City “in answer to public clamor has fixed a flat rate of P150 for traffic violation, except for violations like driving under the influence of liquor and driving without license.”

“The single ticketing system proposal in Metro Manila may not be acceptable unless improvements are instituted,” the position paper said.

The City of Manila will also see to it that the apprehended driver gets his license the following day after confiscation, Garayblas said.

Citing Supreme Court decisions on issues questioning the Metro Manila Development Authority’s exercise of police power (including traffic enforcement), “there is no law, apart from the MMDA charter itself, which authorizes the institution of a single ticketing system in Metro Manila,” Garayblas said.

“Neither is there any resolution unanimously approved by the component local government units in the region which allows such measure. Even if there was, it is believed that such law or resolution shall not go without facing serious constitutional and/or legal barricade,” Garayblas said.

The City of Manila , however, said it recognizes the laudable intention of the Executive Department in trying to come up with a solution to resolve the current issues being raised by the transport sector. But this should not be at the expense of the legally guaranteed prerogatives of LGUs in the NCR.

Alfredo Lim, A Man of Principle
An Article of Rey O. Arcilla
Malaya

As a father myself, I can well imagine how Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim must feel.

His decision not to lift a finger and to let the law take its course in the case of his son who has been arrested for drug pushing must be a very painful one. But admirable.

Here is a man to whom I take my hat off. A man of honor, conviction and principle. A man who is willing to sacrifice his feelings as a father to uphold the law.

He is a public servant who should be emulated by all in government, especially those at the top.

I salute you, Your Honor, and may God bless you.

MEDIA BUREAU
March 24, 2008

LIM ORDERS INTENSIFIED CAMPAIGN VS. DRUGS, VICES

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday ordered an intensified campaign against illegal drugs and other vices in the city at the onset of the school break and summer vacation.

“Zero vices,” was Mayor Lim’s marching orders to city officials and the Manila Police District (MPD) during the regular department heads’ meeting at the Oval Room of the Manila City Hall .

He also asked concerned officials to seek assistance from barangay leaders in the city’s intensified campaign against vices.

Lim said he does not care if the violators in the campaign are city officials, policemen or even barangay officials themselves.

“We will hit them hard,” he stressed.

At the same time, the Mayor ordered city officials to be on the lookout against graft and corruption.

“We want our taxpayers to feel that they are paying good money to the city in the form of excellent service that we can give them. We have to see to it that action is being taken on their complaints. Hindi pwedeng mag-tengang kawali tayo dito,” he added.

Lim pointed out that the vendors remain the No. 1 source of protection money to nefarious city and police officials, a practice, which, he said, he intends to put an end to.

MEDIA BUREAU
March 24, 2008

LIM SURPRISED ABOUT FMR PRES. CORY AQUINO’S COLON CANCER

Surprised to learn about the colon cancer of former President Corazon C. Aquino, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim said he noticed in the recent opposition rallies that he attended with Mrs. Aquino that her cheeks were becoming visibly tight. Surprised to learn about the colon cancer of former President Corazon C. Aquino, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim said he noticed in the recent opposition rallies that he attended with Mrs. Aquino that her cheeks were becoming visibly tight.

“President Cory our people miss you. We are praying for your recovery. Just keep on praying and our people will be with you. I personally pray hard for your recovery,” Lim said.

Lim became close to the former President during EDSA 1 when as a policeman, he and his colleagues received orders from higher ups to disperse crowds opposing the Marcos administration. Because of the peaceful dispersals that he conducted, Mrs. Aquino noticed Lim’s performance—as against the violent dispersals of his other peers.

Asked by a television reporter about his memorable conversations with Mrs. Aquino, Lim said: “When I was offered to be a commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, I rejected because any person who enters that agency is immediately dubbed corrupt. Since I did not want my name to be tarnished, I rejected the offer. This surprised Mrs. Aquino, he said. Mrs. Aquino was catapulted to the presidency after EDSA 1.

After the BOC offer, Mrs. Aquino then offered the directorship of the National Bureau of Investigation to Lim. Although he said he wanted to decline again, he was embarrassed to turn down the president a second time.

He recalled the coup d etat during Mrs. Aquino’s term where rebel forces took over Channel 4 and Lim was ordered to retake it with only 149 members from Manila and Quezon City police forces. “We were able to retake Channel 4,” he said.

In the 1998 election, Lim said he was asked to run for the presidency by Mrs. Aquino, which he said he obeyed out of gratitude for being given the chance to serve as Manila Police District Chief and NBI Director. Mrs. Aquino and the late Cardinal Sin convinced him to run.

MEDIA BUREAU
March 8, 2008
LIM LIGHTS UP PLAZA DILAO IN PACO

In line with his goal of lighting up the major streets of Manila to serve as deterrent for criminality, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim lit up Friday the Plaza Dilao in Paco, Manila vowing to put more lights in the plaza and in a bigger plaza at the next block.

“Magdadagdag pa kami ng ilaw dito at isusunod namin agad yung isa pang mas malaking plaza sa kabilang kanto,” Lim told the crowd that gathered to witness the lighting of Plaza Dilao, one side of which leads to a national road and the other parts to a police detachment and to a factory. A lot of vehicles plying the main road pass through the plaza.

Lim told the audience that City Hall is open to listen to their complaints. “Huwag kayong magkikimkim ng sama ng loob. Kahit anong problema, ilapit niyo sa amin at gagawan namin ng paraan,” he said. (Don’t keep your problems to yourself. Bring it to us at City Hall and if we can do something to help, we will help)

Lim took the opportunity to inform the residents assembled to avail of the free medical services, medicines and confinement at any of the city-run hospitals.

The Mayor only recently lit up the entire stretch of road from C.M Recto to Carriedo as part of his drive to flush out criminal elements from the city. Lighting up major roads is one way of exposing the criminal elements and making them easy catch for the police, he said.

Accompanying the Mayor at Plaza Dilao were Atty. Renato de la Cruz, head of the City Legal Office; City Engineer Armand Andres, City Secretary Rafaelito Garayblas.

MEDIA BUREAU
March 8, 2008

OFFICIALS CITE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE DRILL TILTS

The City of Manila in collaboration with the Safety Organization of the Philippines Inc. conducted Saturday fire drill competitions that are aimed at upgrading the skills of firefighters in coping with fires. The competitions are timed with the annual observation of Fire Prevention Month in March.

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim was represented in the competitions, held at the Mehan Garden —right beside City Hall—by Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman and City Administrator Jay Marzan, who welcomed the participants coming from the Bureau of Fire Prevention and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Participants to the different categories of the competitions were the 17^th NCR Fire Brigade; the 4^th National High Rise Building Fire Brigade; the 2^nd NCR Inter Villages Fire Brigade and the 1^st NCR Hospital Fire Brigade.

De Guzman said the competitions come at an opportune time with March having been declared as Fire Prevention month. “We must always be prepared, especially since historically, it is during this month that the greatest number of fire occurs despite measures being undertaken by government to prevent this from happening,” he stressed.

Marzan also reminded people to work hand in hand with the government to protect themselves from the devastating fires that not only destroy valuable property but put people’s lives at great risk.

Aside from SOPI, sponsors of the competitions are the Manila Electric co. and DILG-BFP.