Drug dependents that have been treated at the rehabilitation center of Manila may either join the mainstream and get some help from the city or go back to their old ways and get no more help from the city.
This was the ultimatum given by Mayor Alfredo S. Lim as he visited the drug dependents presently being treated at the city-run rehab center located at the Manila North Cemetery.
Lim specifically directed its officer-in-charge Dr. Enrique Samonte to disqualify the graduated drug users from getting another round of treatment in case they go back to their bad habit.
The mayor congratulated the doctors in charge and the dependents whom he said looked healthy and on their way to full recovery.
Two of the five remaining inmates in the said rehab center are due for release this month, even as the original number of patients there totaled 14, two of which are women and whose ages ranged between 14 and 30.
Lim said the center is open for all city residents and the rehabilitation process takes from three to six months.
The mayor assured the dependents that once they have fully turned their back on drugs and decided to join the mainstream society, the city government will give them full support.
It was learned that once a patient is discharged from the center, he will still be observed by the Manila Social Welfare and Development and the Manila Health Department, a process which also involves home visits and interviews among friends and relatives.
Nurses and psychologists will also be conducting tests and continue giving treatment to the patients to follow up on their rehabilitation.
Patients in the center engage in exercises, sessions and a string of recreational activities, as the Manila Treatment and Rehabilitation Center is complete with a gym, prayer room, activity areas, gardening areas, sleeping room, living room, kitchen and clinic.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 29, 2008
CITY
OF MANILA PAYS TRIBUTE TO ANDRES BONIFACIO
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim leads Manilans as it commemorates Sunday, November 30, the 145th birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at Dambanang Bonifacio beside Manila City Hall .
The mayor cited Gat Andres Bonifacio, Katipunan founder and fervent Filipino nationalist for bringing Filipino heroism to greater stature.
The wreath-laying ceremony by Mayor Lim, the hero’s relatives-Atty. Gregorio Bonifacio and Emiliano Distrito, National Historical Institute chairman Ambeth G. Ocampo, Manila Historical & Heritage Commission vice-chairman and Manila Tourism & Cultural Affairs Bureau director Gemma Cruz-Araneta, Manila Division of City Schools superintendent Ma. Luisa Quiñones, Order of the Knights of Rizal Sirs Virgilio R. Esguerra & Primitivo Chua, Sir Knights Senecio Luna & Primitivo Chua will kick-off the anniversary celebration followed by a tableau on the life of Gat Andres Bonifacio by students of Lakadula High School.
Manila Historical & Heritage Commission chairperson Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil is keynote speaker.
Bonifacio was born in Manila in 1863. When his parents died, he left school to support his five brothers and sisters. By mid-1880s, he had become an ardent nationalist. He was one of the first members of La Liga Filipina when Jose Rizal established the organization in 1892.
When Rizal was arrested and exiled to Dapitan, Bonifacio and his plebeian colleagues decided that the only way to liberate the Philippines from Spain was to prepare the people for an armed conflict. Thus the Katipunan was founded, a secret society open to both peasants and the middle class that employed Masonic rules to impart an air of sacred mystery.
Following the execution of Rizal in 1896, Bonifacio proclaimed Filipino independence on August 23, 1896. This time, the Spaniards moved against him, forcing his flight to the Marikina mountains; while other forces headed by Emilio Aguinaldo were more successful and won control over some towns. When Bonifacio tried to rein him in, Aguinaldo ordered him arrested and charged with treason and sedition. Bonifacio was tried and convicted by his enemies and executed on May 10, 1897.
The event will be attended by city officials, department heads, employees and students.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 28, 2008
LIM WELCOMES TAIWANESE BUSINESSMEN DONATION
Manila Mayor Alfredo S Lim yesterday received 50 units of wheelchairs worth P200,000 donated by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines in cooperation with Taiwan Association, Inc.
Lim welcomed the donation and thanked the delegation headed by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office representative Donald C. T. Lee, Taiwan Association, Inc. president Alex Ting and General John Chen for their generosity.
“It is with utmost appreciation that we would like to extend to you our gratitude for this donation of 50 wheelchairs. This donation will go a long way in rebuilding the lives of the city constituents who can not move or walk around for some reasons,” Mayor Lim said.
He added: “We have been distributing several wheelchairs since last month and we encourage city residents to give us the names and addresses of people in their community who need wheelchairs, and, after verifying the information we receive, we personally deliver the units to their homes.”
Lee rejoined that it is a great privilege and pleasure for them to take part in the City of Manila’s program for uplifting the interest and welfare of its disabled constituents under the dynamic and inspiring leadership of Mayor Lim.
The turn-over of the wheelchair donation, according to Lee, is a clear manifestation of the resolve of the successful Taiwanese businessmen to share their blessing with their underprivileged and less fortunate brethren with the hope that, through those wheelchairs, the city’s disabled constituents will be able to carry on their normal daily activities.
“It is indeed a source of great pride and satisfaction that in active partnership, we can significantly make a difference in the lives of our physically handicapped brothers” said Lee.
Present during the turn-over of the donation were City of Manila’s International Relations officer Baby Villegas, department heads and employees.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 27, 2008
350,000 CAPITAL
ASSISTANCE TO MANILANS – LIM
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim together with Manila’s 3rd district City Hall Satellite Office officer-in-charge Mike Gonzales recently distributed a total of P350,000 livelihood capital assistance to another 263 first time beneficiaries coming from Manila’s districts I to VI.
The Capital Assistance Program or CAP is one of the livelihood thrusts of the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) in support of the 11-point agenda of the city. CAP is aimed at providing sources of income for the unemployed, the underemployed and to those who want to engage in micro-businesses.
Mayor Lim said: “Most of our beneficiaries come from depressed areas because they are the ones needing financial support to start their small-scale businesses.”
MDSW officer-in-charge Jay dela Fuente advises bonafide Manila residents to visit his office to find out how to qualify and avail of the loan starting from a minimum of P1,000 to P5,000 per beneficiary.
The criteria for beneficiary selection are: (1) Loan applicant must have undergone skills Training and/or Alternative Learning System conducted by Department of Education; (2) must be 18 years old and above, physically and mentally fit to engage in income generating project; and (3) must pass the evaluation of CAP program committee.
The “Tulong Kapwa” concept of rolling in to another set of beneficiaries, the payments received for the loans, in order that more needy individuals may benefit; and develop a sense of social responsibility toward his neighbor, is being applied.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 26, 2008
LIM
HONORS NINOY ON HIS 76th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim together with Batang
Mayor 2008, Oliver Lorenzo F. Felisilda today,
November 27 leads Manilans in paying tribute to
the late senator and national hero, Benigno
“Ninoy” S. Aquino, Jr. on his 76th birth
anniversary in simple wreath-laying ceremonies
at Ninoy’s monument in P. Burgos Street corner
A. Bonifacio Avenue, Intramuros.
Mayor Lim cited Ninoy for his courage and
selfless love for his countrymen.
Notwithstanding dire warnings that his life was
in danger from certain quarters that were
against his return, he chose to come home to
help restore democracy in his beloved country,
because of his belief that “the Filipino is
worth dying for”.
Ninoy was assassinated upon his arrival at the
Manila International Airport on August 21, 1983.
Ninoy Aquino was born in Concepcion, Tarlac on
November 27, 1932. He was serving his term as
Senator when Martial Law was declared on
September 23, 1972. As the leading critic of the
Marcos Administration, he was arrested and
imprisoned in Fort Bonifacio and later in Laur,
for seven years, for the most part in solitary
imprisonment.
To protest martial law and his imprisonment,
Ninoy went on hunger strike from April 4 to May
13, 1975. In November 1977, he was convicted of
subversion, illegal possession of firearms and
murder.
Widespread international pressure forced the
government to reopen his trial and allow the
presentation of new evidence. From prison, he
led the political opposition’s campaign named
“Laban” during the 1978 parliamentary
elections. He was released in 1980 in order to
undergo triple heart bypass at the Baylor
Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
The death of Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino
was catalyst to EDSA People Power I, the
peaceful revolution that put Corazon C. Aquino
as president of the Philippines on February 25,
1986.
The simple rites will be attended by city
officials, employees and students.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 26, 2008
FREE CALL TO USA AND CANADA FOR MANILANS - LIM
Manila residents who have relatives in the USA and Canada may now avail of free calls being offered at the Manila City Hall.
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim launched the free calls as another Christmas gift to Manilans who wish to talk to their relatives and friends in the said countries but do not have the money to spend for such calls.
The toll-free booth is located at the ground floor of City Hall and is open to the public from 8 AM to 4 PM from Monday to Friday.
Lim said the free access calls to US and Canada will be offered until February 2009 and was made possible in partnership with Pacific Network, Inc.
Its marketing director Chito San Jose said that additional toll-free booths will be put up soon also within City Hall, depending on the volume of people who wish to call abroad.
“Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, malaking bagay para sa aming mga may kamag-anak abroad na makausap sila ng libre. Napakamahal kasi tumawag sa ibang bansa kaya kung hindi masyadong importante tinitiis na lang namin na hindi sila makausap” said Ernie Santos of Tondo, Manila , who was among the first to place a free call.
The mayor said that the savings which can be realized by taking advantage of the free calls may instead be added on to the household’s Christmas budget.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 25, 2008
LIM AWARDS MANILA’S OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVANTS
It does pay to be a public servant.
This was the message conveyed yesterday by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim to those who have dedicated their lives to the service of the community and the public in general, as he led yesterday’s awarding of the city’s `Outstanding Public Servants.’
Lim was joined by Yu Uy Tong Fraternal Association, Inc. chairman of the board Dr. Vicente T. Tan in giving out the awards to a total of 31 public servants comprising of City Hall employees physicians, a nurse, policemen and firefighters.
Honored in simple rites held at the Bulwagang Antonio J. Villegas in Manila City Hall according to categories are: a) Outstanding City of Manila Employees – Ben M. Aquino, Jerome Miller, Ramir Salonga, Lorena P. Abueg, Ferdinand L. Santos, Remedios B. Martinez, Jerry L. Camannong, Jack A. Asis, Antonio Manansala and Jose de Leon; b) Outstanding Physicians – Jocelyn B. Denoga, Ma. Nerissa Isabel C. Sescon, and Joanne Marie B. Padilla; c) Outstanding Nurse – Asuncion C. Balisado; d) Outstanding Policemen – SPO1 Rowel Mariano Robles, PO2 Rodolfo B. Mayo, Jr., PSI Marcelo T. Reyes, PO3 Gary June F. Gading, PO3 James S. Poso, PO1 Jupiter B. Tajonera, PO1 Aurelio C. Neral; and e) Outstanding Firemen – SFO2 Gaudencio R. Magallanes, SFO2 Lowie A. Puno, SFO2 Wilson S. Tana, SFO1 Raul S. Cortez, SFO1 Vladimir S. Payumo, FO3 Ronald S. Lim, FO3 Guillermo E. Femalino, Jr., FO3 Ronaldo C. Pineda, FO1 Armando D. Baldillo, Jr. and Joseph M. Bigata (Posthumous award).
The selection and awarding of Manila’s outstanding public servants is in accordance with the memorandum of agreement signed by the mayor and Tan and in line with the celebration also this month of the centennial anniversary of the latter’s association, which is a non-profit organization carrying out various worthy humanitarian undertakings and community services to address the needs of the indigents.
Apart from citation plaques, cash rewards in the amount of P10,000 each were also given to the awardees.
Lim said the giving away of the awards is the city government’s little way of acknowledging the exemplary dedication and services being rendered by that in public service.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 24, 2008
LIM SALUTES SM
MATRIARCH FOR GIVING HOPE TO CANCER PATIENTS
Manila Mayor Alfredo S Lim recently urged businessmen operating within the city to help rebuild lives and give hope to the suffering.
This, as he lauded the generosity displayed by Felicidad Sy, head of the SM Foundation, in adopting and renovating the multi-purpose areas for the children and the elderly at the Cancer Institute in UP-PGH.
The newly-renovated area, Lim said, now offers a high degree of relaxation for both the cancer patients and their loved ones taking care of them, as it comes complete with a beautiful and scenic mural which creates a feeling of serenity.
On the other hand, the area devoted for Children has been remodeled with a mural of a beautiful garden and comes complete with a kiddie see-saw, tables and chairs as well as educational materials such as children’s books.
“We salute Doña Felicidad Sy for her kindness in giving the Cancer Institute UP-PGH patients the refurbished multi-purpose areas which will go a long way in the cure, recovery and most of all, in the care of cancer-stricken patients,” Lim said.
He added: “Ang sabi po nila, ang pinakamalungkot na pangyayari sa buhay ng tao ay ang magkaroon ng sakit, lalo na kung mabigat na karamdaman tulad ng kanser. Nasusubok daw ang tunay na pagmamahal at pagkakaibigan ng isang tao sa oras ng pangangailangan, sa pagkakaroon ng mabigat na karamdaman.”
The mayor stressed that the intervention of philanthropists offers great hope, especially for cancer-stricken patients who need all the caring and support they can get.
Lim, whose wife died of cancer a long time ago, said he empathizes with the families of the cancer victims because he understands what they are going through.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 24, 2008
CITY
OF MANILA
WELCOMES NEW MAYOR
The
City of
Manila
has a new Batang Mayor 2008, Oliver Lorenzo F.
Felisilda of
Manila
Science
High School
and Batang Vice Mayor 2008 Marie Ann A. Mañago
of Philippine Academy of Sakya who will reign
over Manila for a week starting November 24.
A
total of 48 public and private high school
students have taken over the positions of city
officials since Monday and start their hands-on
training in the city governance as Manila
observes Girls’ and Boys’ Week from November
24 – 30, 2008.This year’s theme is “Kabataan ng
Maynila:Marangal
. . . Dakila“.
The
young mayor and vice mayor together with other
officials attended the city’s regular Monday
flag-raising ceremony at the City Hall Freedom
Triangle and were introduced to city officials
at a breakfast held in their honor at Bulwagang
Villegas.
Mayor
Lim advised the students to study hard, avoid
drugs and vices, love their parents and family,
and respect and obey their teachers.
“Mag-aral
kayong mabuti para makatapos sa kolehiyo upang
maging matagumpay kayo sa hinaharap. Huwag
ninyong kalimutan ang inyong mga magulang at
mahalin ninyo sila.Mapalad kayo at may mga magulang pa kayo
na nag-aaruga at nagpapaaral sa inyo”
Mayor
Lim said.
The
Mayor told the young students that he was
orphaned at a young age and at 13 years old he
worked by selling native cakes to earn a living
so he could support his studies.Before finishing high school, he had to
transfer school four times because he needed to
study near his work place to save on
transportation fare.Mayor Lim said he worked as a security
guard while in college and earned his degree in
law school while working as a policeman.
The
young officials are students of
Manila
Science
High School
, Philippine Academy of Sakya, Chiang Kai Shek,
Maysaysay, V. Mapa, Tondo, Nolasco, Immaculate
Concepcion, Perfecto, T. Paez, Calderon, Torres,
Lakandula, Abad Santos, Arellanom Soliman,
Espiritu Santo, Araullo,
Nazareth
, Abada, Manuel L. Quezon,
Laurel
, Roxas, Soliman and Philippine Cultural, among
others.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 20, 2008
STAND
UNITED TO FACE GLOBAL CRISIS - LIM
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim welcomed the more than
1,400 municipal mayors of the country as they
hold their annual general assembly meeting of
the League of Municipalities of the Philippines
(LMP) at the historic Manila Hotel the other
day.
The president asked support and assistance
of all the local executives to stabilize the
price of rice so as to ensure the supply of
basic food. “It was obvious to everybody that
we continue to battle hunger and as a public
servant our very first concern is for our people
particularly the poor” the president stated
during her speech at the assembly meeting that
will last until November 21, 2008.
Lim gave his full participation on the
call of LMP National President Mayor Ramon N.
Guico, Jr., of Binalonan, Pangasinan as they
both encouraged other chief executives to work
on the local solutions to national and global
issues on food security, climate change local
economic development and peace and security.
“There is really strength in numbers.
Together we will find a way to cushion the
impact of the financial meltdown on our
economy,” mayor Lim said in his speech.
Mayor Guico on the other hand stressed
that everyone should focus more in providing and
proposing solutions to the country’s problems.
Instead of ranting and whining about the
country’s problems country’s leaders and
people should rather confront the real issues
and concerns of hunger, poverty, land and
environmental degradation, over-fishing,
resource use conflicts, disaster mitigation and
the effects of climate change, population
pressure, homelessness and lawlessness, the
mayor of Binalonan, Pangasinan said.
Mayor Lim received two plaques of
appreciation from LMP (one for the City of
Manila
and the other one for himself) which recognizes
his greatness, significant and generous
assistance and to the office of the City of
Manila
for their invaluable support and immensely
contributed for the successful activities of
this year general assembly meeting.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 5, 2008
CITY
OF
MANILA
WORKERS TO GET 13TH MONTH PAY
The
City of
Manila
government is releasing within the week, the 13th
month pay and cash gift of the 5,000 city
government workers.
At
the regular Monday meeting of the department
heads and chiefs of offices, City treasurer
Erlinda Marteja said funds are already available
for the remaining half of the 13th
month pay and cash gift of P2,500 each employee.
“The
other half of the 13th month pay and
cash gift of P2,500 had already been given to
the employees last May as additional resources
for the enrollment of their children and for
other school requirements,” said Marteja.
The
early release of the city government
employees’ pre-Christmas bonus was
precipitated by the increase in collections from
business and license permits and real estate
property taxes.
Marteja
disclosed that Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim
ordered the release of the Christmas bonus to
the city employees to give them enough time to
do their shopping and avoid the Christmas rush.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 5, 2008
LIM’s
EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT, THOUSANDS OF JOB
VACANCIES
Almost 1,000
applicants attended the first Mega Jobs Fair held
at the Gat
Andres Bonifacio shrine in Manila
this morning, which was participated in 50
companies, with over 3,000 vacant jobs.
According
to Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manila
, some of the companies hired their applicants on
the spot, and many of the them will undergo
further interviews and screenings.
There
were twenty manpower agencies and thirty direct
hiring companies in the said jobs fair which will
be followed by another scheduled on November 12,
2008 at San
Andres complex and on December 5, 2008 at Far
Eastern University (FEU) in coordination
with the Department
of Labor and Employment – National
Capital Region (DOLE – NCR).
Mayor
Lim thanked all companies who participated in the
said jobs fair. Livelihood and employment
generation is one of the priorities of the city
government under Mayor Lim.
“Isa
sa mga paraan upang maisakatuparan ito ay sa
paglulunsad ng ganitong proyekto, dahil ako’y
naniniwala na isa sa mga batayan ng pag-unlad ng
isang bayan ay ang pagkakaroon ng hanapbuhay ng
mas nakakarami.” Lim said.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 4, 2008
LIM
WELCOMES ASEMUS PARTICIPANTS
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning welcomed
the participants to the Asia-Europe Network of
Museums (ASEMUS) general conference saying he is
optimistic that the three-day conference will
bring about the development of a concrete plan of
action that will steer future priorities and
cooperative efforts of ASEMUS.
In opening the session, the Mayor said “Museums
play an important role in the preservation of our
cultural heritage and the world’s diverse
communities.”
The ASEMUS General Conference on ICT and Museum in
Asia and Europe – Possibilities and Challenges
from November 3-6, 2008 is a joint undertaking of
the National Museum of the Philippines ,
Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and ASEMUS.
Lim cited the organizations involved for exploring
the importance of information and communication
technology in finding means to share museum
collections in Asian and European museums. The
grand example of this is the establishment of the
Virtual Collection of Masterpieces which now has
more than 60 participating museums.
Lim also encouraged participants to the ASEMUS
general conference to take time, after their
sessions, to enjoy a cultural journey of the
famous walled city of Intramuros and have a taste
of the countries delectable cuisine while savoring
Philippine’s finest hospitality.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 3, 2008
VITAS, SOON TO BECOME A ‘TRIPLE A’
SLAUGHTERHOUSE – LIM
Manila
Mayor Alfredo S. Lim announced yesterday that
the Vitas slaughterhouse in Tondo,
Manila
will soon be turned into a Triple A abattoir or
the most modern meat processing and exporting
zone in the metropolis by the Department
of Agriculture (DA).
In
his regular Monday meeting with department
heads, the Mayor said Agriculture Secretary
Arthur C. Yap
has vowed to develop the Veterinary Inspection
Board facility as the hub for all meat products
that are coming out of
Manila
to Luzon
and
Mindanao
.
The
2.2-hectare VIB facility is strategically
located near the Pier or docking ports.
In
the DA’s plan for VIB, an animal stockyard
will be built for the propagation of livestock
and more butchers or mataderos will be trained
on the hygienic slaughtering of animal
livestock.
Engineer
Francisco Co, Officer-in-Charge at the VIB, said
the DA has committed part of its annual budget
of P1.5 billion for animal propagation all over
the country to the VIB’s initial animal stock.
“Vitas
will soon become the most modern slaughterhouse
in the country with capabilities for meat
processing and meat export. This is a Triple A
category that we are looking at,” Mayor Lim
said.
Manila
Media Bureau
November 1, 2008
LIM DELIVERS WHEELCHAIRS TO DISABLED CITY
RESIDENTS
Manila
Mayor Alfredo S. Lim personally distributed
wheelchairs to indigent city residents suffering
from polio, impaired spinal cord, cerebral
palsy, and other medical conditions that
impede walking.
The
seven beneficiaries from Tondo, who were given
wheelchairs as early Christmas presents from Lim
were: Pedro Ortega of 116 P. Alfonso; Teresita
Carpiso of 291 Kawit Street; Rodelio Vergara
of 1577 Interior 19 F. Varona Street; Manuel
Osorio of 1581 F. Varona corner Pacheco Street;
Reynaldo Matuguinar of 360 Interior Pacheco
Street; Rolliette Buenventura and Roy
Buenaventura both living in 1301 Torres Bugalion.
The
mayor enjoins the public to submit the names and
addresses of persons they know who need
wheelchairs to the nearest health centers or to
the Manila Social
Welfare Department.
Lim
said that a total of 200 wheelchairs are available
at Manila
City Hall and ready for distribution, door
to door, to indigent and disabled city residents
who have need for those.
The
wheelchairs were donations from various civic
organizations from USA
Manila
Media Bureau
October 17, 2008
BE
PRODUCTIVE AND MAKE SOMETHING OF YOURSELVES, LIM
TELLS URBAN POOR
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim urged parents to exhaust
all efforts to send their children to school to
secure their future and bring their families out of
poverty. Speaking before representatives of urban
poor organizations in a simple ceremony
commemorating the United Nations “International
Day for the Eradication of Poverty” Lim narrated
how he was orphaned at an early age and as a small
boy, vended native cakes and shined shoes to earn a
living.
“When I was 13 years old, before my grandmother
died, she called me and made me promise to finish my
studies because I should not depend on other people
to survive and be successful.
So, I labored as a bus conductor while in high
school, worked as a security guard while in college
and finished law school while working as a
policeman. Lim said that he is re-telling his
stories because he wants to inspire the parents and
their children that poverty is not a hindrance to
success.
The mayor mentioned that the City College of Manila
was put up during his first term as mayor to give a
chance to children of drivers, vendors and other
low-wage earners to send their children to school.
“We need to do something to uplift our families
from poverty.
Lahat ng kahirapan ay pasanin ninyo at pilitin ninyo
ang inyong mga anak na makatapos sa pag-aaral.
Choose not to be poor, be productive and choose to
make something of yourselves. It can be done.
Kailangan lang magtulungan tayong lahat. Let us
begin the fight now as we observe today the
international day for the eradication of poverty,”
Lim said. “Send your children to school. Someday
when they have finished their studies and become
successful, they will take care of you and raise you
from hardship and poverty” Lim added.
Manila
Media Bureau
October 15, 2008
LIM DISTRIBUTES ID CARDS FOR DISABLED
Manila
Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday distributed the
second batch of identification cards and purchase
booklets to 300 constituents with disability from Manila
’s district IV, V and VI at Canonigo covered
court in Paco, Manila .
Before
the distribution of the ID cards and purchase
booklets, the mayor read out the privileges of the
disabled such:20 percent
discount in hotels, restaurants, theaters,
purchase of medicines in all drugstores, medical
and dental services including diagnostic and
laboratory fees, fare for domestic air and sea
travels, public railways, skyways and bus fares.
The
special discounts also cover purchases of basic
commodities subject to guidelines by the Department
of Trade and Industry and the Department
of Agriculture.
The
ID cards also give the holders the right to
express lanes in business establishments and public
government offices; and educational
assistance, provided the person with disability
shall meet minimum admission requirements.
The
special privileges for persons with disability are
in accordance with Republic Act No. 9442, an act
amending Republic Act No. 7277 otherwise known as
the “Magna
Carta for Disabled Persons and for other
Purposes.”
Manila
Media Bureau
October 8, 2008
MANDARAYANG GASOLINAHAN
SA MAYNILA, BINALAAN!
PINANGUNAHAN kaninang umaga ni Jesus Mari P. Marzan,
City Administrator ng Manila City Hall, ang
pag-iikot sa mga istasyon ng gasolinahan sa lungsod
ng Maynila. Ito’y upang masiguro na hindi
depektibo ang kanilang mga gas pump at mapigilan ang
anumang uri ng pandaraya sa lahat ng mga motorista.
Sinabi ni Marzan na may mga natatanggap silang
sumbong na di – umano’y pandaraya ng ilang
gasolinahan dito sa maynila nitong mga nakaraang
buwan. Kaya’t agad itong inaksyunan sa pamamagitan
ng agarang pag-iinspeksyon sa lahat ng mga istasyon
ng gasolinahan.
“Pinoprotektahan natin dito ang interes at
kapakanan ng mga mamamayan natin lalo na yaong mga
drayber ng mga pampublikong sasakyan na boundary
lamang ang inaasahan sa araw-araw nilang pamamasada”
saad ni Marzan”
Binigyang babala din niya ang lahat ng mga retailers
sa Maynila na may daya sa kalibrasyon ng kanilang
mga gas pump na agad ipaayos ito upang hindi
makansela ang lisensya ng kanilang mga pumping
units. Sa ganitong paraan magagarantiya nila na
hindi sila nadadaya sa kanilang mga ipinapakargang
krudo o gasolina.” dagdag pa ng City Administrator
ng Maynila.
Sa inisyatibong ito ng tanggapan ng Administrador ng
Maynila ay magiging alerto lahat ng gasolinahan sa
Maynila upang hindi maging pabaya sa kanilang
tungkulin sa pagbibigay ng tamang sukat ng gasolina
sa publiko.
Nananawagan din siya sa lahat ng mga motorista na
kung may pinagsususpetsahan silang mga gasolinahang
nandaraya ay huwag silang mag-atubiling lumapit sa
kaniyang tanggapan sa city hall. Gayundin sa lahat
ng mga retailers dito sa maynila na nagnanais na
magarantiyahan hindi depektibo ang kanilang mga
pumping units ay pwede umano silang magpa-inspeksyon
ng boluntaryo.
“Tuloy – tuloy itong gagawing pagiinspeksyon
upang mas lalo pang mapaigting ang kampanya ukol sa
irregularidad ng gawain ng mga gasolinahan sa
Maynila”.
Tumawag lamang sa numerong 521-7505, City
Administrator’s Office at
302-6670, Weights and Measures Division, Market
Administration.(30)
Manila Media Bureau
October 6, 2008
CITY OF MANILA HOSPITALS
GET MEDICAL SUPPLIES
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday received a
truckload of assorted medical supplies donated by
the 3 P Foundation (USA) in coordination with the
Rotary Club of Manila.
3 P Foundation (USA) chairman, Armando De Rossi said
that the medical supplies, equipments and surgical
instruments all in 119 boxes were donations of the
citizens of the United States of America to the
constituents of the City of Manila.
The mayor thanked both 3 P Foundation (USA) and the
Rotary Club of Manila for the donation and for their
support to the cityʼs priority healthcare
program.
The city has four hospitals and 49 health centers.
By 2009, another hospital will open in Manilaʼs
3rd district to serve Binondo, San Nicolas, Quiapo
and Sta. Cruz and by 2010, another in district 6 to
serve Sta. Ana, Pandacan, San Miguel and Sta, Mesa.
Present during the turn-over of the donations were:
former Southern Leyte congressman and Rotary Club of
Manila past president Dong Saludo, Ospital ng
Maynila Medical Center director Fidel Chua, Ospital
ng Tondo director Ted Martin, Ospital ng Sampaloc
director Janette Tan and Gat Andres Bonifacio
Medical Center director Evangeline Morales.
Manila Media Bureau
October 4, 2008
AVAIL OF SMALL CLAIMS
COURTS, LIM SAYS AT PEOPLE'S DAY
People's Day last Friday, for District 5, at Manila
City Hall was different from the previous ones in
that instead of the people telling city officials
about their problems and concerns, it was Manila
Mayor Alfredo S. Lim's turn to advise them to flesh
out their problems first at the barangays and, if
that is not possible, then to elevate them to the
small claims courts opened by Supreme Court Chief
Justice Reynato Puno in every Metropolitan Trial
Courts (MeTC) and municipal trial courts all over
the country.
He said the objective of such small claims courts is
to declog the MeTCs, MTCs and Regional Trial Courts
of all types of cases, many of them small ones,
which the Mayor said could have been settled by
barangays or in smaller venues like the small claims
courts (SCCs) or where claims do not exceed
P100,000, exclusive of interests and costs .
Filing cases at the SCCs will not entail
documentation fees and the filing fee is just
P1,000, Lim said.
Effective Oct. 1, 2008, Chief Justice Puno
designated pilot SCCs in MTCs, municipal trial
courts in towns and cities and municipal circuit
trial courts, two of them in Manila namely MeTC
Branch 23 under Judge Zorayda Z. Tuazon and Branch
24 under Judge Jesusa P. Maningas, Lim said.
The pilot courts shall fix at least one day each
week for the hearing of small claims which shall be
posted in three conspicuous places in their
respective stations at the entrance of the Hall of
Justice, the entrance of the courtroom and the
entrance of the office of the Clerk of Court, Lim
said.
“Kung maaari lamang, hayaan niyo nang maresolba
ang kaso niyo sa barangay para mas maliit ang
gastusin niyo,” the Mayor. (Why not just settle
your problems at the barangay level to reduce your
litigation costs).-- (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media
Bureau)
Manila Media Bureau
October 4, 2008
CONTINUE GIVING YOUR
CHILDREN LOVE, LIM SAYS
“Love was the reason why your children came into
being. So continue giving your children love, care
and guidance until they are old enough to be on
their own.”
This was the short message of Manila Mayor Alfredo
S. Lim to hundreds of parents and children assembled
at the ground floor of SM Manila this morning to
celebrate the 16th anniversary of the Council for
the Welfare of Children (CWC).
The Mayor said: “Sikapin niyong mapatapos ang
inyong mga anak hanggang kolehiyo at bilang ganti at
pagtanaw ng utang na loob, sila naman ang
makakatulong sa inyo sa inyong pagtanda” (Try your
utmost best to give them college education and when
they become professionals, our of gratitude, they
will be helping you as you age).
The Mayor played “ninong” and “lolo” to a
lot of children who took his hand for the
traditional “blessing.” In turn the Mayor took
out P20 bills to give to the costumed children,
participants to the CWC program, who went to him.
The CWC program was held in collaboration with the
Manila Department of Social Welfare under OIC Jay de
la Fuente; the SM supermalls under Royston Cabuñag,
Regional Operations Manager, SM Supermalls;
Bernadette Velasco, Mall Manager, SM Manila; Ma.
Elena S. Caraballo, OIC, Executive Director-CWC; and
the different day care centers of the City of
Manila.
The Mayor already designated City Administrator
Jesus Mari Marzan to attend the affair but because
of his love for children, the Mayor showed up even
for a while to give a short inspirational talk to
the parents and children attending the program.
Through the program, CWC wants to push for the
advancement of children's programs in all businesses
by establishing children-friendly projects and
systems. SM is one of the first followers of
children-friendly programs of the CWC. (Jennifer
Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)
Manila Media Bureau
October 3, 2008
LIM WITNESSES HAPPY
REUNION OF JAPANESE FATHER AND SON
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim happily witnessed
Thursday afternoon the reunion of Hajimi Ito and his
8-year old son, Hikaru when the two were brought to
his office by Chief Consul Kenji Endo of the
Japanese Embassy.
Hajimi, a cattle farmer in Japan, came to Manila on
intervention of Consul Endo to pick up his son and
be reunited with his two sisters after five years of
separation. Father and son got separated when
Melinda P. Ito, who was then tending the Ito cattle
farm, left with Hikaru for the Philippines to start
life anew. Having used up all her savings, she
started begging in the streets with Hikaru, the
Mayor narrated.
The Manila Department of Social Welfare spotted
Hikaru twice in Quiapo, first on May 4, 2007 and the
second on June 19, 2007. Hikaru was brought to the
Reception and Action Center (RAC) in Aroceros and
later transferred to the Foundling Home of Boystown
in Marikina, for a six month treatment of
tuberculosis, the Mayor said.
As he was undergoing medication for TB, Consul Endo
visited Hikaru at the Foundling Home and assured him
of assistance. From then on, the embassy updated
Boystown about the case of Hikaru’s father.
On March 31, 2008 Hikaru finally met his father and
promised him that after his TB treatment he will
return Hikaru to Hokkaido, Japan.
The Mayor said last week Consul Endo faxed a letter
informing the Foundling Home that the elder Ito will
arrive Sept. 30, 2008 and take the child back to
Japan on Oct. 2, 2008. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila
Media Bureau)
Manila Media Bureau
October 2, 2008
LIM TELLS PLM, CCM
STUDES TO TAKE UP ROTC
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning emphasized
the need for military training and discipline on the
students of city-owned Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng
Maynila and the City College of Manila.
He said students of both tertiary institutions must
learn the value of military discipline and training
as these will work for their benefit in the future.
The Mayor was visibly disappointed by the report of
Lt. Col. Tranquilino F. Belardo, Philippine Army,
CCM-ROTC Commandant that for school year 2008-2009
out of the 3,020 enrolled freshmen at CCM only 974
registered for the ROTC (reserved officers training
corps).
The 1304th (Manila) Community Defense Center
officials called on the Mayor at his office this
morning.
Students of CCM and PLM are city scholars and do not
pay tuition or miscellaneous fees. “They should
follow what the city requires of them. That is to
take up mandatory military training service,” the
Mayor emphasized.
For the sophomores, juniors and senior students who
have not taken up ROTC or the MTSI 1 and 2 (Military
Training Service), they must also take up mandatory
ROTC prior to graduation, the Mayor said.
The 2-semester ROTC courses (MTS1 and MTS2) will
from hereon be mandatory to all freshmen students,
male and female, enrolled at CCM and PLM, the Mayor
stressed.
Other ROTC activities, aside from military training,
includes: cleaning of city environs, tree planting
and monitoring of unlawful activities and
information gathering as part of maintaining peace
and order in the City, the Mayor said. (Marlyn
Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)
Manila Media Bureau
October 2, 2008
MAYOR LIM HONORS GEN.
VICENTE LIM
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning honored
Gen. Vicente Lim, the unsung hero of World War II,
at his monument along Roxas Boulevard marking the
centennial celebration of the Se Jo Tong Lim Family
Association, which has been donating wheelchairs to
the Mayor when he still had a television program at
ABS-CBN.
Lim said he put up the Vicente Lim monument during
his first term as Mayor of the city, but he stressed
that he used his personal funds for that.
He said the late Gen. Vicente Lim was the founder of
the Boy Scouts of the Philippines while the
latter’s wife, Pilar Hidalgo, is the founder of
the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
“I put up this monument before because Gen.
Vicente Lim (not related to me but just a namesake)
has survived the infamous Bataan Death March and on
June 6, 1942 was admitted to the Philippine General
Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained at
Bataan,” the Mayor said.
He said after his first incumbency as Mayor, the
monument was neglected with no lights and no plants
to make it worth looking at. “Now I made sure
there are lights and plants that will adorn this
place in his honor, for as long as I am Mayor.”
He said every Feb. 24 each year, the family of Gen.
Vicente Lim always celebrated the birthdays of Gen.
Vicente Lim right where the monument stands because
“his house was just nearby, right in front of
Century Park Sheraton.”
He asked the Se Jong Tong Lim Family Association to
put up iron railings around the monument so that
people will not get very near it and desecrate his
image. He wanted the frontage to be planted with
Vermuda grass. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media
Bureau)
Manila Media Bureau
October 1, 2008
LIM ATTENDS MANILA’S FINEST BATCH 18 REUNION
The reunion of Batch 18 of Manila’s Finest went on
as scheduled this noon despite the holiday from
Eid’l Fitr (end of Ramadan) and despite steady
rains since early this morning with Manila Mayor
Alfredo S. Lim as special luncheon guest at the Wah
Yuen Restaurant in front of the City College of
Manila in Escolta.
Batch 18 is very special to Mayor Lim as he was the
one who signed the appointment papers of the 324
members during the incumbency of Mayor Antonio
Villegas when no higher police authorities dared to
sign their appointments. Then Mayor Villegas asked
the Civil Service Commission’s permission to allow
then Col. Alfredo S. Lim to sign their papers. Since
then, Col. Lim (now Mayor Lim) was dubbed
“godfather” of Batch 18.
Batch 18 was the one that secured the Mendiola
Bridge and the University Belt during the Martial
Law period. As such its members are regarded as the
“veterans” of Mendiola Bridge and U-Belt. Batch
18 trained at the Manila Police Academy then
headquartered at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng
Maynila from Sept. 1, 1969 to April 24, 1970.
“Even when we were in active service we held
annual reunions and we continued these reunions up
to now. From 324 in Batch 18, only around 40 showed
up today because many of our members are now in
America, Canada or in the provinces. There are now
only 100,” said (ret.) Col. Francisco Bautista,
now the head of the City Security Force.
The Mayor informed the members not to forget
collecting their pension of P2,000 a month as this
would go a long way in helping them financially.
The Mayor also asked Batch 18 members to make an
audit of how many became colonels; captains and who
are still in Manila. He also asked one member of
Batch 18, a judge at Laguna, to submit his personal
data sheet to him so that he could help have him
assigned at the Manila Regional Trial Court.
(Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)
Manila Media Bureau
October 1, 2008
LIM PROTECTS TOURISTS IN MANILA
In view of several complaints about tourists being
gypped by money changers in the city, Manila Mayor
Alfredo S. Lim has ordered that no new licenses be
issued to money changers unless they can show proof
of being licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The Mayor said he himself received some of the
complaints and ordered an investigation of money
changers that have been shortchanging their clients
of the fair value of their dollars and other foreign
currencies.
He said that as a rule, tourists and balikbayans
must only exchange their money at the 5-star hotels,
commercial banks and even the Bangko Sentral so they
will get their money’s true value.
The Bangko Sentral, he said, normally gives out
licenses to money changers that are licensed with
the local government units. “But for Manila, we
will not be giving out new licenses,” the Mayor
stressed.
Similarly, the Mayor has increased the number of
travel agencies allowed to operate in the city from
350 to 500.
The amendment, he said, will encourage the
establishment of more travel agencies where local
and foreign tourists can transact their itinerary
and travel plans. The amendment is contained in
Executive Order No. 33 of September 25, 2008.
The travel agencies, on their own, can also act as
promoters of the City of Manila by displaying
tourist spots that travelers can go to during their
stay in the Philippines, the Mayor said. (Manila
Media Bureau)
Manila Media Bureau
October 1, 2008
DON’T WEAR EXPENSIVE JEWELRIES, LIM SAYS
Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim advises the people to
refrain from wearing expensive jewelries and
bringing out expensive communication gadgets in
public which are attractive to snatchers,
pickpockets and other criminal elements.
The Mayor gave this advice Tuesday after presenting
to Delia Cayas, registrar of the Immaculate
Concepcion School of Naic, Cavite the gold earrings
that were snatched from her last Sept. 22 while
inside the jeepney by rugby sniffer, a certain
Adrian (aka “Bunso”), 16 years old and a
recidivist client of the Rehabilitation Action
Center of the Manila Department of Social Welfare in
Aroceros.
Cayas and school principal Emelita Herrera were
asked to meet with the Mayor so he could return the
earrings personally to them. They were presented to
the Mayor by Manila DSW OIC Jay de la Fuente.
Cayas, 67 years old, texted the Mayor in his column
at Police Files Tonight, a tabloid, about the
incident. Since the DSW has deployed Rescue and
Monitoring Team (RMTs) throughout the city, the
rugby sniffer was immediately apprehended and the
earrings confiscated by Jaime Rodin, a member of a
Rescue Team. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media
Bureau)
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