ANNOUNCEMENT MEMORANDUM



 
2007 2008


January February March April May June July August September October November December

Manila Media Bureau
September 30, 2008

LIM THANKS PAGCOR FOR SUPPORTING HIS PROJECTS 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim thanked Saturday the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for supporting fully his projects for the City of Manila saying "malaki ang naitutulong ninyo sa subsidiya sa mga gastusin namin dito sa siyudad ng Maynila sana dumami pa kayo." 

The Mayor expressed his deep gratitude during a speech at the Philippine National Red Cross Manila Chapter's 30th Biennial Chapter convention in Clamshell II, Intramuros Manila. 

PAGCOR Chairman Ephraim Genuino assured all the members of PNRC of assistance from PAGCOR particularly giving priority employment for their family members and relatives in need of jobs in the new projects of PAGCOR in the New Nayong Pilipino in Paranaque, where it will put up six hotels; several restaurants and few casinos that will easily generate 400,000 jobs. 

"Tulong tayo ng tulong sa ibang tao na hindi naman natin kakilala, subalit kayo’y naglilingkod sa ating kapwa na hindi kayo nababayaran ng anumang halaga. Kaya nararapat lamang na kayo naman ang tulungan.Tulungan rin natin si Mayor Lim na pagandahin ang Maynila,” Genuino added. 

The Mayor is honorary chairman of the Board of Directors of PNRC Manila Chapter. He commended Chairman Genuino for his big heart in helping the people of Manila. 

PNRC Manila chapter was founded in 1947 at Victoria St. Intramuros. Now 61 years in service, PNRC Manila has over 700 members actively participating in community help, safety service, disaster management, social management and national blood service. (Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau) 


Manila Media Bureau
September 29, 2008

LIM GETS UPSET WITH DYED HAIRS OF BOYSTOWN WARDS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim got upset Saturday when he saw that some of the wards of the Manila Boystown facility in Marikina City were sporting dyed long hairs, far from his expectation of discipline and grooming for them.

He immediately ordered the resident barbers to cut their hair and shave their unkempt faces right before his eyes and scolded them for being lacking in discipline and grooming sense. But a resident dentist said those whose hairs were cut just arrived recently from the Manila Department of Social Welfare's RAC facility in Aroceros.

He also ordered the "house" parents to always teach the wards well, especially on moral values and to never allow the big boys bully the smaller children.

The Mayor gave P20 each to the Boystown wards but got particularly piqued when a bigger boy stole the P20 of a small child. He asked the city officials to bring the robber to him.

As the officials were hunting for the petty thief, the Mayor was watching the softball exhibition match between the Manila Golden Girls (second prize winner in the recently-concluded World Series in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA and the Adamson University Falcon, 4 time champion of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. 

When the big boy was brought to him, a very angry Mayor Lim reprimanded the thief, who was later brought to the Rehabilitation Action Center (RAC) in Aroceros for further training on social attitudes. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)


Manila Media Bureau
September 28, 2008

LIM VIEWS SOFTBALL EXHIBITION MATCH AT BOYSTOWN

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim saw for himself just how good the Manila Golden Girls were at softball when the teenaged girls fought against 4-time University Athletic Association (UAAP) champion, Adamson University Falcons at the Manila Boystown Complex (MBTC) in Marikina City.

The Mayor pitched as the two teams positioned themselves for the first touch of the ball Saturday morning. The Golden Girls won the exhibition match with a score of 4 with Adamson scoring 2.

The match enabled Mayor Lim to take a breather from his usual heavy schedules at City Hall by watching the competitive stances, kicks and snatches of the Golden Girls, who competed and won silver in the recently-concluded World Softball Series in Kalamazoo, Michigan . 

Just two Mondays ago, the Mayor feted the Golden Girls by presenting them to City employees during the flag ceremony and then awarding them P5,000 each with a tour of Bulwagang Villegas and a brief lecture on Gen. Macario Sakay’s heroism on the side.

The exhibition match also kicked off the mini sports festival of the Manila Boystown Complex for games like arnis, basketball and the local sikaran sport.

The Mayor was assisted by the organizers of the mini sports festival led by Eddie Castro, his consultant for MBTC and the Golden Girls’ coach Filomeno “Boy” Codinera and Engr. Robert Evangelista. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)



Manila Media Bureau
September 27, 2008


LIM REACHES OUT TO A FORMER SUBORDINATE

Despite an already loaded schedule for Friday, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim still found time to squeeze in a visit to his former subordinate at the National Bureau of Investigation who was in dire need of a wheelchair for mobility.

Lim delegated some of his schedules to some key city officials to be able to visit Rodolfo Lapidario, a former subordinate of his at his house in 1258 Ibarra St.. , Sampaloc, and surprised him with the wheelchair. Not content, he even pushed the wheelchair of Lapidario, which obviously delighted him no end.

Then he went to Matantubig, Doroteo Jose in Tondo to visit 22-year old Jerico Estrada, again to give him a wheelchair since Estrada had been going to his cellphone repair lessons at the City College of Manila for two months by being bodily carried by his grandfather everyday.

Even at his “graduation” this week from the Alternative Learning System Services project-- launched nationwide by the Department of Education for out of school youths and parents wanting to acquire new skills to land a job or start a business—Estrada had to be carried to the site by his grandfather.

Estrada is 22 but has the height of a young boy since he had been suffering from dwarfism since birth.

He enrolled at the CCM and diligently went to class because he wanted to help his family by earning a living himself. 

His case was referred to the Mayor by Cely Sangil, assistant OIC of the Manila Department of Social Welfare, who was approached by Estrada's neighbor in Tondo, a relative of an employee of the Manila Youth Bureau. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)



Manila Media Bureau
September 26, 2008

KNOW YOUR DEPARTMENTS WELL, LIM TELLS CITY EXECS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim has asked his key city officials to “know all the information about your departments well and not make excuses about checking or verifying your records with your staff.”

The Mayor, in Policy Instruction No. 02-08, said: “As department heads and chiefs of offices, you are expected to be completely aware of and know all the functions, operations and date affecting your respective offices.”

As such, you should have full grasp of problems involving the office, information on personnel, finances and technical matters that may be required of you to disclose and answer on, when required, the Mayor said.

During the regular department heads and chiefs of offices meetings (DEHECHO) every Monday, the Mayor makes it a point to require each head to report what is going on in their respective departments and what particular big projects they are undertaking.

At times, the Mayor asks about specific concerns, especially those that he gets from his emails, letters and phone calls where immediate action is being required. 

At the last DEHECHO meeting, for instance, the Mayor said he received complaints from some graduates of the city-owned universities—City College of Manila and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila—that they are being required to teach or work with these institutions.

“You must not require any pay back. That is not why I made college education free of charge in both institutions. I want the graduates to be free to choose what they want to do after college. Do not deprive them of availing better options in life. They might want to go abroad or work for a big company. Go ahead let them. Do not stunt their growth,” the Mayor said last Monday. (Manila Media Bureau)



Manila Media Bureau
September 26, 2008

LIM SENDS SEIZED IMPORTED MILK TO BFAD FOR TESTING

After presenting a truckload of seized imported powdered milk to the media, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim directed Station 11 Superintendent Col. Nelson Yabut to escort the milk to the Bureau of Food and Drug for testing.

The Mayor, who was then conducting his regular People’s Day forum at the Bulwagang Villegas with District 4 residents, rushed to the quadrangle to check on the seized imported milk by police operatives led by Col. Yabut.

He said the milk must be tested by BFAD if it contains melamine—a dangerous substance that is added to milk—and if the confiscated shipment really came from China.

The truck, which came from Gilvan Packaging Corp., contained 70 sacks of 25 kilos each, some of which bore the brand name, Voltage Milk supposedly coming from Australia but the bulk of the sacks (near the door of the trucks) bore the marking SMP Milk Powdered Spray Farmland.

Yabut appraised the Mayor that under the memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health and BFAD “bawal ang mga gatas lalo na pag-walang label dahil suspected na galing sa China ang mga milk.”

Yabut said routine inspection of the truck showed that it contained milk that was to be delivered to Binondo but since it did not contain the proper label and brand, the drivers volunteered to go with Yabut and his men to City Hall for presentation to the Mayor. 

On instruction of Mayor Lim last Monday at the DEHECHO, police started rounding up the stores (usually small groceries) in Binondo for unbranded milk that might be coming from China. The Mayor told police to get samples and immediately send them for testing by BFAD. 

Yabut said he talked to vendors at Elcano St. to voluntarily send to him samples of the milk they are selling so these can be tested by BFAD. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)


Manila Media Bureau
September 25, 2008

SCHEDULE OF EYE CHECK UPS AND CATARACT OPERATIONS

In keeping with the priority thrust of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim to provide free health services to Manilenos, the Ospital ng Sampaloc and Ospital ng Tondo are scheduling by district, the free eye checks and cataract operations for the six districts of Manila.

OS Director Dr. Janet Tan informed Mayor Lim during the regular Monday department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) meeting of the schedules by district. The district heads are tasked with lining up 200 patients for cataract operations. But the free eye checks do not have limit as to number of patients per district.

Beginning Sept. 30, districts 4, 5 and 6 will have cataract screening at the San Andres gymnasium. On Oct. 2, districts 1, 2 and 3 will have their cataract screening at the Tondo Sports Complex, as suggested by the Mayor.

Tan said OS and the participating doctors (Dr. Malubay and his team) will bring their own operating tables and equipment for the cataract operation, making it a total of 6 operating tables and OS will provide the volunteer nurses to assist in the operations, Dr. Tan said.

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. is providing snacks for the 600 patients to be screened for cataract from District 4, 5 and 6 at the San Andres gymnasium.

Cataract operations will begin on Oct. 7 at the OS auditorium for districts 4, 5 and 6. For districts 1, 2 and 3 operations will be at the Ospital ng Tondo with the actual date to be announced by Dr. Teodoro Martin, OT Director, who has yet to determine the venue for operations.

Dr. Tan also reported that OS will be having “Operation Bukol” (for all kinds of skin lumps) in collaboration with the Philippine Academy Medical Specialists (PAMS), an organization comprising of cosmetic surgeons and skin specialists. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)


Manila Media Bureau
September 25, 2008


MANILA GETS 51 AWARDS OF DEP-ED TILT ON SKILLS & BRAINS

The City of Manila bested several other cities and towns in a skills and brains contest sponsored by the Department of Education for out- of- school youths and adults through the Alternative Learning System Services (ALSS). The City won 17 categories, including the top place for the battle of the brains won by Carson Paul Guevarra held recently at the Legarda Elementary School.

A proud Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim gave the winners trophies and medals and told them to “put your newly- acquired skills to good use by putting up your businesses with your seed capital to be lent to you by the Manila Department of Social Welfare under OIC Jay de la Fuente.”

The winners took first to third place of the following categories: Battle of the Brains; essay writing; jingle; slogan; poster; vocal solo; cultural dance; garbology fashion; handicraft; international cooking; innovative; native kakanin; chess; badminton; and table tennis. The Mayor gave P1,000 each to the winner of the jingle (Marie June Garcia that she composed) and the vocal soloist (Ma. Cristina Zulueta) who sang a Gary Valenciano song, Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos.

“Mapalad kayo na mayroon na ngayong sistema ng edukasyon na tulad nito. Dati isa lang ang klase ng edukasyon, ang formal education from pre school to college,” the Mayor told the ALSS participants. 

The Mayor was citing the report of City School Superintendent Dra. Ma. Luisa Quiñones on the three kinds of education namely formal, non formal (or alternative learning systems where out of school youths and parents needing new skills are taught) and informal education (or the teaching of history and the lives of heroes)

“All those who graduated from the ALSS will have to be registered with MDSW and then apply for livelihood loans of at least P1,000 with Jay de la Fuente,” the Mayor said.

“Ang kahirapan at kamangmangan, kanulatan ang kasagutan,” the Mayor said. (The answer to poverty and illiteracy is learning to read, write and count).

He told them to be diligent in attending classes at ALSS “kung saan ang mag-aaral ay bibigyan ng pagkakataon na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang pag-aaral.” (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau) 


Manila Media Bureau
September 24, 2008

INTRAMUROS WILL ALWAYS BE THE HEART OF MANILA, LIM SAYS


Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning expressed appreciation that Manila has been restored as the capital of the Philippines—a title previously held by Quezon City for a while. “But Intramuros will always be the heart of Manila and Manila the outgrowth of Intramuros. One is incomplete without the other.”

Speaking briefly at the program “Reliving Intramuros Today” after planting trees at the Maestranza Park, the Mayor said “historians will tell you that Intramuros was the seat of government during the Spanish times.”

“Manila was originally the capital city of the Republic of the Philippines. This was changed and another city in Metro Manila became capital, a distinction it held for some years. A few years ago, this was changed and again Manila became the official capital of the Philippines,” the Mayor said.

“This was the right step to take. History is on our side because Manila truly is the center of activity where our country is concerned. It is from this city that today’s Metro Manila, also known as the National Capital Region, emanated from,” the Mayor stressed.

“Here within these walls, of Intramuros, Manila expanded farther and farther outward until it has become the sprawling capital that it is today,” he added.

Keynote speaker, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said the planning of the City of Manila began with Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in 1571 and Intramuros was finally completed in 1606.

“This place was both a city and a fortress. For almost four centuries of Spanish rule, the Walled City of Intramuros served as the capital of their colony in Asia. This was the political, military and religious heart of the islands,” Durano said.

Durano added that in later decades, Intramuros’ role in Philippine history was solidified when it became a garrison during the Japanese occupation and a prison where Filipino soldiers and guerillas were kept and executed. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)


Manila Media Bureau
September 24, 2008

HOLDING OF SEMINARS OUTSIDE OF MANILA BANNED

To help the City of Manila save its precious revenues, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim has banned the holding of seminars, lectures and continuing studies of employees and offices—elected or appointed—outside of Manila.

In Police Instruction No. 01-08 of September 15, 2008, the Mayor said "considering the current shortfall in revenue collection and budgetary constraint, the City discourages the holding of seminars in far-flung areas to save on transportation and accommodation costs."

Unless extremely necessary, the City shall not authorize the holding of seminars or conventions in far-flung areas as these will entail great expense for transport and accommodation, the Mayor stressed.

"This policy shall be maintained until otherwise modified," the Mayor ordered.

The Mayor, however, stressed that the City encourages the holding of seminar, lectures and continuing studies of employees and officers to further enhance their capability, personal advancement and work attitude in discharging the function for the delivery of basic and public service to the City's constituents.

Such activities can be done within the City, which has a lot of conference and convention facilities in its existing universities – the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and City College of Manila—and even in its numerous offices.

Besides, the Mayor said, there are also hotels and smaller function rooms in the city which accommodate such official functions of the City. 



Manila Media Bureau
September 24, 2008

LIM CREATES TEAM TO STUDY GARBAGE COLLECTION FEES 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim created a composite team of five key city officials to conduct a feasibility study and recommend a realistic and reasonable garbage collection fee to ensure the sustainability of the city's solid waste management plan.

The Mayor tasked the team, chaired by Col. Carlos Baltazar of the Manila Department of Public Services, with their deputized personnel staff to:

A). Conduct, study, evaluate and recommend to his office measures to adopt in assessing commercial and business establishments operating within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Manila, the correct garbage fees.

B). Recommend the necessary steps to insure the equitable and fair amount of collection of fees commensurate to the volume of the estimated garbage to be charged in all households and establishments.

The committee is composed of City Administrator Jesus Mari P. Marzan as vice chairman; Engr. Rodolfo Catu of the City Planning Office and Nelson Alivio of the Bureau of Permits, as members.

The City currently pays P500 million a year for the contract of the garbage collector but it collects to the businesses only P70 million. The balance of P430 million is being paid by the City from its other funds.

The Mayor said the committee should study what rate to charge the low and high rise buildings and houses with those of the commercial and industrial establishments. 

Manila is home to numerous high rise condominiums and hotels, which the Mayor observed pay the same garbage fees as the small business establishments operating in the city. "But because of their numerous tenants, these high rise buildings must logically be paying more," the Mayor stressed.

The team was asked to submit its recommendations to the Mayor 15 days upon receipt of the order designating them as team members. 



Manila Media Bureau
September 23, 2008

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS JOIN INT’L YOUTH INVENTORS’ EXPO

Students from three Manila-based high schools leave today for Taipei to join the 2008 International Exhibition for Young Inventors from Sept. 25 to 29, 2008. They called on Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and described their inventions to him.

They are from the Ramon Magsaysay HS, Jose Abad Santos HS and Manila Science HS. They described their inventions that included bio diesel from the seeds of lumbang tree common in Cavite and Laguna and anti TB antibiotics from local marine worms rich in isonaiazid.

Students from the J. Abad Santos HS invented the bio diesel and anti TB antibiotic; from Ramon Magsaysay HS, they invented a gadget called fish tales to determine the freshness of the fish; the Ammo, a humidity regulator for use in the orchidarium and a burglar alarm which connects to a sensor and radio transmitter; and from the Manila Science HS, the invention was harvesting power from pisoelectric igniter that produces electrical energy each time a vehicle passes through a street hump with the piezo-electric ingiter and which energy may charge and be stored in a battery and another invention is a fishing gadget that produces sound waves to attract fish to significantly increase the catch of our local fishermen.

Proud about their feat, the Mayor gave each of them P3,000 as “pabaon.” 

The Mayor, a former police officer, asked why the barbed wire burglar alarm system did not produce sound outside the house, thereby not scaring enough for the burglar. The student explained that this gadget is supposed to catch the burglar by surprise since his presence will be sounded out by the radio transmitter to the police. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau) 



Manila Media Bureau
September 23, 2008

LIM MAKES A TRIP BACK TO MANILA POLICE HEADQUARTER

After being away from the Manila Police District headquarters for over two decades, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim returned to his former home as a cop, this time to be part of the launching of several new facilities that would give MPD the image of a New York or Los Angeles Police Department.

Interior Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno was invited to be the guest speaker while Mayor Lim delivered the inspirational talk to his former colleagues in uniform.

He thanked the Philippine Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc for its donation of 10 motorcycles and the Land Transportation Office for its donation of the Blackberry wireless query system and 37 computer desk top and surveillance from the Highway Patrol Group and 100 mobile unit cellphones.

“Malaking tulong lahat nang mga equipment galing sa mga benefactors. We have to face the reality that our enemies are criminals with the latest technologies,” the Mayor stressed.

But aside from technology, the Mayor said what really gives life to MPD-HQ are its officers and men, “kung maganda ang ginagawa ninyo sa pagtatanggol sa buhay, ariarian ng mga tao at sa pangangalaga at pangdaigdigang kapayapaan.. Kahit bulok ang inyong headquarters, tatanghalin kayong mga bayani,” the Mayor said. (When you do your best to defend life, peace and order, no matter if your headquarters is decrepit, people will still look up to you as heroes).

He said the modern equipment will only be as good as the one using them. “Pero kung ang gagamit nito ay hindi iintindihin o babaliwalain lamang ang kanyang responsibilidad hindi lang sa lungsod kundi pati sa bayan, baliwala rin ang mga modern equipment na ito. 

He reminded the officers and men of MPD to always be alert and be on top of the situation at all times. “Alam ko lahat ng paraan ay ginagawa ninyo. Pero ang namumuno sa PNP has to revive the old glory of the police officers as dependable Mamang Pulis.”

“Noong time namin, kapag may napatay na pulis, tatlo hanggang apat na araw hindi kami umuuwi hangga’t hindi nahuhuli yung pumatay,” the Mayor said.

Those who attended multiple events at MPD Tuesday were: Puno; Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman; NCR-Police Office Director Gen. Geary Barias; MPD Superintendent Gen. Roberto Rosales; James Dy, president emeritus of Philippine Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc.; Atty. Nestor Mantaring, National Bureau of Investigation Director; Cong. Amado Bagatsing of Manila’s 5th District; former San Ildefonso Mayor Romeo Venturino; Rotary Club of Manila President Atty. Romeo Batino and six city councilors. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)


Manila Media Bureau
September 23, 2008

LIM DISMISSES OSCA EMPLOYEE FOR DISHONESTY

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim has dismissed a contractual employee of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) for dishonesty and grave misconduct. Her appointment is to expire on Sept. 30, 2008.

The Mayor’s decision stemmed from a complaint filed by P/Supt. Redencion P. Caimbon, Assistant City Civil Registrar of Manila, against Roy A. Ordillo, a job contract employee at the Senior Citizens Affairs, for falsifying her signature and submitting several falsified documents to the Civil Registry to facilitate registration of the acknowledgment and affidavit of legitimation of Maria Cristina Castaneda and Juan Rafael Yamada in favor of a minor Yumi Castaneda.

On Aug. 27, 2008, Roland Ilagan Jr., a staff of Civil Registry, approached Maj. Caimbon and showed legal documents purportedly signed by her namely a) the acknowledgment of paternity signed by Yamada and with a stamp Xerox copy allegedly signed by Maj. Caimbon; b) the joint affidavit of legitimation executed by Castaneda and Yamada with the stamp certified Xerox copy allegedly signed by Maj. Caimbon and c) certification purporting to be signed by Maj. Caimbon, stating that the affidavit executed by Yamada was registered in the Civil Registry Office under Registry No. 2472 series of 2008.

To support the charge, three certifications dated Aug. 27, 2008 were issued by Civil Registrar Maria Josefa Encarnacion A. Ocampo, Maj. Caimbon and Ruther Ronaldo Ignacio, attesting to the fact that the initials appearing in the said documents are not authentic.

Caimbon asked Capt. Marcelo Reyes to investigate and found that respondent, Ordillo was the possessor of the falsified documents and submitted the same before the Manila Civil Registry, thus, presumed to be the falsifier of the said document.

The Mayor said Ordillo’s act of falsifying and submitting falsified documents to the Civil Registry Office constitutes dishonesty under Section 23 (a) under Rule VIV of the Omnibus Rules implementing the provisions of Book V of Executive Order No. 292 and other pertinent Civil Service Laws.

The Mayor said Ordillo is liable for grave misconduct for committing acts which are totally related to his sworn duty as a government employee. Under Section 50 of EO 292 on summary proceedings, “no formal investigation is necessary and the respondent may be immediately removed or dismissed if any of the following circumstances, is present:

a) when the charge is serious and the evidence of guilt is strong.
b) When the respondent is a recidivist or has been repeatedly charged and there is reasonable ground to believe that he is guilty of the present charge 
c) When the respondent is notoriously undersirable.

“Based on the foregoing, formal investigation can be dispensed with considering that the charge against respondent is serious and the evidence of guilt is strong,” the Mayor added. (Manila Media Bureau)


Manila Media Bureau
September 22, 2008

LIM ORDERS CHECK OF STORES SELLING UNBRANDED MILK

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim directed City Health Officer Dra. Ma. Lorraine Sanchez to inspect all stores selling unbranded powdered milk from China and collect samples of milk for examination by the Bureau of Food and Drug.

At the regular department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) meeting, the Mayor asked Dra. Sanchez to coordinate with Col. Franklin Gacutan, chief of the Mayor’s Complaint and Action Team; Col. Nelson Yabut of Station 11 (Binondo) and ret. Col. Carlos Baltazar of the Manila Department of Public Service in inspecting and collecting milk samples in stores selling the powdered milk from China.

The milk should temporarily be withdrawn from the stores and immediately sent to BFAD for examination. But the samples must be returned immediately, after inspection, so as not to adversely affect the business operations.

Stores selling powdered milk from China are those located in Sta. Elena, Sto. Cristo and many other areas in Binondo as well as in Quinta market, which is now being checked. 

In another development, the Mayor directed the Maynilad Water Services Inc. to collect water samples and have them tested immediately in view of reports that many residents of Manila have been downed by contaminated water.

He said the report on food poisoning in Corazon de Jesus Elementary School in Tondo—supposedly involving spoiled mais con hielo, eggs and hotdogs served by the canteen stemmed supposedly from contaminated water used in washing these items.

But the Mayor said initial reports said the supposed poisoning on mais con hielo came from spoiled evaporated milk but this is being disputed by the local manufacturer. (Manila Media Bureau)

Manila Media Bureau
September 21, 2008

CIVIL SERVANTS TOLD TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE

Leading hundreds of City Hall employees and key officials, Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Saturday told the civil servants to be “accountable at all times to the people and serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency.”

The Mayor reminded every government employee to always put in his heart and mind the values of patriotism, justice and modesty in their lives. Lim addressed the city department heads and employees during the celebration of the 108th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service at the Rajah Sulayman in Roxas Boulevard . 

“Sa gusto man ninyo o hindi, kayo ay Pilipino sa kulay at dugo kaya ating mahalin ang ating bayang Pilipinas. At bilang patunay sa ating pagmamahal sa ating bayan, atin itong alagaan at magawang progresibo. Ano man ang ating posisyon sa gobyerno, bilang administrador o isang kawani, maipapakita natin ang pagmamahal sa bayan sa pamamagitan ng paglilingkod ng tapat, marangal at buong sigasig sa ating mamamayan.” Lim stressed. (Whether you like it or not, we are Filipinos in race and blood and we have to love our country and lead it to progress by serving with complete loyalty, honesty and dedication as citizens).

Lim also took the occasion to report that two days ago, 83 criminology graduates of the City College of Manila (CCM) passed the recent Criminology Board and of the 83, Nestor Lucapa “defied poverty in attaining his goal by graduating cum laude at CCM and placing 9th in the board.”

As a reward, Lim hired Lucapa to work in City Hall and recommended him as an officer of the Philippine National Police. He will also recommend the other CCM passers as policemen. 

He also narrated the story of Abraham Cariño, an honest tricycle driver who returned a plastic envelope containing P53,350 last Thursday night, calling him as “bagong bayani ng Maynila” when he presented him at the People’s Day in Manila City Hall last Friday. He asked Lacupa and Carino to inspire the government workers present to stay honest and upright.

“ Sana manatili sa inyong isip na mayroon kayong sinumpaang tungkulin. Stick to your oath of office and you’re okay. But if you go astray, pasensiyahan tayo,” he said. (Always remember the oath you took. Stick to your oath and you’re okay. But if you go astray, then bear with the consequence.)

“I know the majority of you are dedicated and devoted employees of the civil service, pero meron mangilan-ngilan na nagsasabog ng putik sa inyong mga pangalan, kaya kayo napapadamay. But let it be so, as long as you keep your head high and see to it that you’re not doing anything in violation of the law or any of the regulations, you’re okay with me,” the Mayor said. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau) 



Manila Media Bureau
September 21, 2008

LIM TELLS MOTHERS: GIVE YOUR ALL TO YOUR CHILDREN


Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim urged mothers from the first district of Manila assembled at the Isabelo de los Reyes Elementary School to "give your all to your children so that they will finish college and become professionals someday. After that, your professional children will take their turn in helping you in the future."

After thanking over a hundred mothers assembled, all of them members of Lakas ng Inang Manileno, a 2-year old organization intended to build up the capabilities of mothers and help them provide the needs of their children in collaboration with City Hall, the Mayor then told them that the city government is providing Manilans with services from womb (pre natal, day care centers and growing up needs for education, healthcare and peace and order) to tomb (free chapel, priest and crematory/burial) at the North Cemetery.

The Mayor then said after sending your children to free elementary and high school, make sure they go to college at the City College of Manila, which provides free education to average students or the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for honor students.

You can go to the police when you have problems and if the police will not help you, go to any of the city officials and they will be there to listen to your needs and act on them, the Mayor said.

Lakas ng Inang Manileno began with just 100 members (of mothers) per district in each of the district. But with many mothers wanting to become active members, the number swelled substantially, said Noemi Hipolito, organizer of Lakas ng Inang Manileno, in a report to the Mayor.

The Mayor emphasized that all the services that city provides to its residents are due mainly to "the taxes you pay so let us encourage our neighbors to keep paying their taxes so that City Hall can do more for Manilenos."

Among those who led the Lakas ng Inang Manileno convetion in Tondo were Ruth Ricaforte, principal of the Isabelo de los Reyes Elementary School; Baragay Chairman Bonifacio Dinglasan; Nino de la Cruz, OIC of the Manila Sports Council; Let Ramos, general manager of the PTCA; Andrea Flor, president of Lakas ng Inang Manileno and Noemi Hipolito, organizer of Lakas ng Inang Manileno forum. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau) 



Manila Media Bureau
September 20, 2008

MANILA OBSERVES INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEAN UP DAY

The City of Manila joined other national and local government units in observing the International Coastal Clean Up Day by sending its personnel to participate with the Payatas children, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, CDO Foodsphere and the Manila Ocean Park employees in cleaning up the Manila Bay Saturday morning.

The clean up day is observed throughout the world every year as part of global efforts to restore the ecological soundness of marine resources and ensure a cleaner and safer environment for fishes and other marine life forms.

Headed by Manila City Administrator Jesus Mari Marzan, the city employees joined hands with the children from Payatas, Quezon City; the Department of Environment and the CDO Foodsphere in physically cleaning up the bay of massive debris and floating garbage.

Before the actual clean up, Marzan led in the feeding of participating children from Payatas (landfill in Quezon City) and encouraged them to share their experience with adults in their families and neighborhood for greater awareness of the need to protect the environment.

This is the 2nd Coastal Cleanup effort of Manila Ocean Park , the first last April 2008 during the celebration of Earth Day. The participants expressed their deep commitment to observe the clean up regularly. 

The Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG), an American oil tanker company, headed by Captain Kenneth Macleod and its employees also participated in the clean up along with students from Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Ateneo de Manila and volunteers from other private companies. (Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau) 



Manila Media Bureau
September 20, 2008

LIM TELLS YOUTH TO ALWAYS PRAY AND HEAR SUNDAY MASS


Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning told 570 students from Manila high schools to always pray for guidance and show their gratitude to God and to Mama Mary and not to miss their regular Sunday mass so that they will not get way-laid and spiritually bankrupt.

Address the annual Marian Youth Movement of the Ecclesiastical Province of Manila, the Mayor led city officials in attending the rosary rally and kick-off mass for the MYM observation which begins in September and ends in October. The mass and rosary were officiated by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, honorary chairman of MYM and Rev. Msgr. Claro Matt M. Garcia, director/promoter of MYM in Tayuman, Tondo.

MYM began in 1985, or 23 years ago, and is held annually in four ecclesiastical districts of Metro Manila namely: Manila, Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas; Quezon City and Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Pateros and Pasig.

"Do not forget your obligation to the Catholic Church, to its priests who give you spiritual advice and moral values. Always obey your parents, the priests and nuns and other people older than you because they will all teach you what is right. Your parents love you so well because they do their best to send you to college so that with education you can enjoy a better future as professionals," the Mayor said.

He reiterated that they should not make poverty as their excuse for not aspiring to get a college degree as the city has two colleges that offer free education-- the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for the honor but poor students of Manila and the City College of Manila for the average but poor residents of the city.

He said not having money should not be an excuse to finish college citing as example Nestor Lucapa, who graduated cum laude of criminology at the CCM and placed 9th in the recently-concluded board along with 82 other CCM criminology graduates. He said Lucapa walked his way daily from his house to CCM and back.

He also told the youth not to take seriously courting and getting married as there is time for everything. "Now is the time for you to focus on finishing a college degree," Lim said.

The students, led by City School Superintendent Dra. Ma. Luisa Quinones and the school principals, teachers and students of 32 city high schools, said a lot of graduates of CCM and PLM are now enjoying very good careers and are able to help their parents out financially. (Jennifer Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)



Manila Media Bureau
September 19, 2008

CLEAR QUIAPO CHURCH AREA, LIM TELLS FORTUNE TELLERS 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning asked around 70 fortune tellers operating in the Quiapo area to “clear the Quiapo church and work out with the owner of a private lot near the church that you use, for a minimal fee, the vacant lot for your operations. Anyway, there are 70 of you to share the rental,” he added.

People’s Day for District 3 residents started promptly at 9 a.m. but people came in a lot earlier so they were treated to a historical lecture of the murals on Bulwagang Villegas by Gemma Cruz-Araneta, OIC of the Manila Tourism and Cultural Bureau.

The Mayor said he has been receiving complaints from Quiapo Church Parish Priest, Msgr. Clem Ignacio that churchgoers are complaining about their operations since the fortune tellers are obstructing their way and they only deceive people.

Two women, claiming to be the leaders of the fortune tellers operating in Quiapo, said they do not deceive people but they even act as counselors, especially to wives whose husbands are philandering.

The Mayor said the City of Manila has a campaign against all forms of obstructions, including vendors, hawkers and fortune tellers to ensure that motorists and pedestrians will have their rightful place to move in..

He said he also wants the area near the Quiapo church to be freed of vendors selling herbal medicines and other medicines that are “pampalaglag” (or abortive).

Elisa Lapid Sebugan, mother of 15-year old JoMarie Sebugan, reported that her child left last Sept. 7 and never returned. Another child in the neighborhood said they saw Sebugan in a house on WH Compound in Parola tied like a dog. After they reported this to Station 7 police, they never saw Sebugan again.

Another woman, who accompanied a gangrene-struck relative who was left at the ground floor, complained that they have been trying to follow up the papers of their lot in North Cemetery which the family wanted to sell so they could have her treated at the hospital. The Mayor directed (ret.) Col. Carlos Baltazar to personally accompany the complainant to check on the papers of their lot at the North Cemetery.



Manila Media Bureau
September 19, 2008

HONEST TRYKE DRIVER GETS PRAISED BY LIM FOR HONESTY


For being very honest in returning a green plastic envelope with P55,350 left by a male passenger on his tricycle Thursday night, Abraham Cariño, 44, was praised and presented by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim before hundreds of people from District 3 (Quiapo) attending the regular People’s Day at the Bulwagang Villegas and received from the Mayor P5,500 in cash plus P5,000 from District 3 Congresswoman Zenaida Angpin.

He was also hired on the spot by the Mayor for work at City Hall “since your honesty has proven that you are worth keeping at City Hall and will not steal money from it.”

Presiding over the Friday People’s Day, the Mayor made sure he would make a big example of Cariño before the attendees of the regular people’s forum saying that “with your example more and more, people will realize that it pays to be honest.”

Cariño has four children, one of them a third year college daughter taking up psychology at the City College of Manila and the eldest son, a second year criminology student at Philippine College of Criminology. The two younger ones are elementary students at the Mabini Elementary School.

Cariño drives his tricycle seven days a week beginning at dawn until night and his wife is a vendor of fishball and other street foods in front of the National Teachers College but sells only from Monday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Mayor asked Cariño how much he earned from his tricycle and he said P300 which is the same amount his wife earns from selling street foods. 

Asked by the Mayor if he wanted to work for City Hall, he choked out of joy and said “opo.” On hearing this, the Mayor tasked his staff to attend to his employment papers. 

The honesty of Cariño was brought to Mayor Lim’s attention by Congresswoman Angpin and it was Barangay 385 Zone 39 (Quiapo, Manila) Chairman Danny Aquino who brought him to City Hall. 

Cariño surrendered the plastic bag with money to Mayor Lim so that the Mayor will be the one to give it to its rightful owner. (Jenny Berenguer and Henry Santiago, Manila Media Bureau) 



Manila Media Bureau
September 18, 2008

83 OF 90 CCM CRIMINOLOGY GRADS PASS BOARD

A proud Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Wednesday greeted the 83 (out of 92) graduates of criminology of the City College of Manila, who all passed the recently-concluded licensure exams, with the cum laude landing at the 9th place.

The board passers were presented to the Mayor Wednesday morning at the Bulwagang Villegas, where they had a chance to have their photos taken with the Mayor.

The Mayor gave the 9th placer, Nestor Lucapa, a cash reward P10,000 plus an permanent appointment at CCM, which he asked Deputy Mayor and City Personnel Officer, Jose Silva, employment as professor at CCM. 

The Mayor assured all the passers, including Lucapa, that the City of Manila will endorse them properly to the Philippine National Police so they can land jobs at PNP. 

Lucapa comes from a poor family at Obrero, Blumentritt and walks everyday from his house to CCM “proving to one and all that poverty is no obstacle to achieving one’s goal in life,” the Mayor said.

“Congratulations for a job well done. With your accomplishment, you have proved to the nation that the City College of Manila is not a diploma mill.”

He told the 82 other passers that he would do his best to look around for jobs for them at the City government of Manila. 

He reiterated that the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila is for bright but poor students while CCM is for the average but poor students of Manila.

The Mayor said Lucapa has set a good example worth following by all the students of Manila schools.

“Kapag nagkaroon kayo ng magandang trabaho, makakatulong na kayo sa inyong mga magulang,” the Mayor told the passers. (Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)



Manila Media Bureau
September 18, 2008

MANILA’S SENIOR CITIZENS OFFICE GETS CSC AWARD 

The City of Manila under Mayor Alfredo S. Lim got Tuesday a “very good” rating from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for the delivery of prompt and responsive frontline services through the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

In accepting the award, Mayor Lim said: “tinatanggap po namin itong pagkilala hindi po para sa akin, kung hindi para po sa mga senior citizens namin at yung libo-libong mga empleyado namin na tumutulong sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa publiko.” (I accept this award not for myself but for the countless senior citizens and employees who have been rendering public service).

He then said that the city has lots of programs for the senior citizens such as giving for three days in a week free movies to the elderly residents “as our debt of gratitude to the senior citizens.”

In giving Philhealth cards, the priority is senior citizens, “bilang pagkilala sa kanilang nagawa sa atin noong unang panahon, na bagama’t sila’y mga retirado na, hindi natin mararating ang kinaroroonan natin ngayon kung wala sila.” (We would not have reached this far without their help).

“When senior citizens apply for ID cards, iiwanan lang po yung application sa city hall, uuwi na po siya, kinabukasan meron pong kakatok sa bahay niya at idi-deliver po ang senior citizen card niya,” the Mayor said adding that this is what he calls “door to door service for the senior citizens.”

In a month’s time, he added, in our six mini city halls (or satellite offices) we will have ballroom dancing exclusively for senior citizens. “Ito po para yung kanilang panahon ay di naman gaanong malungkot,” he stressed.

“Dala ng ating kultura. It’s a big no no na papabayaan natin ang ating matatandang magulang o matatandang lolo, hindi kamukha nung sa western world na pag tumanda na ang kanilang magulang doon na lang dadalhin sa home for the aged living a desolate and lonely life,” the Mayor said. (In our culture, it’s a big no no for us to leave the aged alone unlike in the western world where they live the elderly in homes for the aged, alone, desolate and lonely).

Sa atin po, hindi pwede yun. We care and I’ll see to it that our loved ones or elders are given their due respect and care,” the Mayor emphasized.

The CSC, in implementing its Public Service Delivery Audit (PASADA), gave recognition to the City of Manila – Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs under OIC Gerry C. Castillo.

“I salute the CSC for giving importance to millions of nameless heroes, the civil servants, who generously and dedicatedly serve the public. Though we often hear and read about the wrongdoings of some in the government service, the awarding ceremonies we are now having proves that majority of government employees work with ardor, commitment, fortitude and virtue,” the Mayor said. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)



Manila Media Bureau
September 17, 2008


LIM SUPPORTS FIGHT AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Monday pledged his full support to the Stop Trafficking and Exploitation of People Through Unlimited Potential (or STEP-UP) project launched Monday at the Asilo de San Vicente de Paul.

The project is a collaboration of the Visayan Forum Foundation Inc and Microsoft Unlimited Potential and Asilo de San Vicente de Paul that is aimed at waging a war against human trafficking and exploitation, especially of those in poor developing nations, through increased education and awareness of the people. 

"As everybody knows, projects and organizations like STEP-UP are my priority. Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 sets penalties to human trafficking but the government cannot stop this problem without the support of the private sector support. That is why this project is really a big help," Lim said.

He added that human trafficking is now a global problem where millions of victims are forced into prostitution or slave labor under sub-human working conditions. The government has measures to fight human trafficking and exploitation. But many still fall prey because of poverty, lack of job opportunities, conflict in Muslim Mindanao and the inability of young children to continue going to school. Hence, this project is a welcome step in preventing this crime," the Mayor stressed. 

Community learning centers put up by the group provide alternative learning, information technology and computer knowledge to ensure victims and potential victims to regain control of their lives. The center provides access to technology and skills training to survivors of human trafficking in the country. This program will be both preventive and protective responses to human trafficking in the country.

The collaborators thanked Mayor Lim for his campaign, Linisin Ikarangal Maynila "for its vision of a just, moral peaceful and humane society."

During the Mayor's first term in 1992, he staunchly campaigned against prostitution and closed 250 bars in Ermita, Manila. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau)



Manila Media Bureau
September 17, 2008

LIM TELLS LEADERS TO GET YOUTHFUL MINDS AS ADVISERS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim asked political leaders to surround themselves with young and skilled people to actively participate in running the government and not stick to “old colleagues, less skilled and knowledgeable advisers.”

“It is time for our government leaders to recruit fresh, young, clean, independent and skillful advisers. This government needs fresh and strategic ideas,” the Mayor told hundreds of students at the Far Eastern University auditorium.

Speaking about the social responsibility of the youth, the Mayor cited as example former US President Bill Clinton during his campaign in 1991, he recruited 28-year old George Stephanopoulos as his political adviser, Gene Sperling, 30, as his economic adviser; Paul Beggala and James Carville, both in their early 40s, as his political consultants. 

“All are independent individuals in the sense that their lives and job security did not depend on Clinton as they could always get attractive jobs elsewhere,” he said.

Their mind and ideas were fresh and straight from the heart. When there were strong disagreements, his advisers just quit, got more attractive jobs and never bothered to blame their former boss, the Mayor stressed.

Give the real works to young people and they will show you that thy are the most creative organizers of events and the best formulators of policy, he said.

“We should veer away from using people’s muscles but use instead their brains and minds,” the Mayor scored.

The Mayor said a good leader is headstrong, but not stubborn and has room for flexibility and negotiation, when necessary. “In fact, great decisions inherently embrace flexibility,” he stressed.

He added that a good leader has to have a clear direction. 

“His/her needle has to point to a clear direction otherwise he/she will bring the nation to a limbo,” he emphasized.

He said the lesson for current and future leader is that “people and domestic affairs are far more important than any other policy option. Any leader who neglects these two issues will severely undermine his leadership, unless he builds his power on a totalitarian basis.”

Finally, he said, “for as long as young people like you have not lost faith in our nation, who will rise up to the challenge of leading our country to a better state, whose sense of patriotism will propel us towards nationhood, progress and growth.”

“We can have the very best of intentions, the most thoughtful plans but unless we are willing to lead our people, little of substance is likely to be accomplished,” he said.


Manila Media Bureau
September 16, 2008

OSPITAL NG TONDO GETS 4 DIALYSIS MACHINES

The Ospital ng Tondo, one of four city-run hospitals, received four dialysis machines donated by the Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) P200,000 from Congressman Jaime Lopez of District 2, Tondo to ensure that this treatment and maintenance medicines would be given free to Manila residents.

The machines were blessed in simple ceremonies this morning at Ospital ng Tondo, led by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, Cong. Lopez, Cibac Party List Rep. Cin Chona Gonzales, former Labor Secretary and past president of RCM Bienvenido Laguesma and present RCM president Atty. Romeo Batino.

The Mayor thanked both RCM and the Cibac Partylist which donated some cash to aquire the machines for the most precious donations which would help a lot of Manilans cope with the cost of kidney treatment and Cong. Lopez for making sure that maintenance medication will also be made available to those afflicted with kidney problems.

He also thanked Eduardo Rodriguez, general manager of B/Braun Avitum Philippines, Inc. supplier of the donated machines and himself a donor of some machines to other city-run hospitals for his continued support to his priority healthcare programs.

As he thanked the donors, he also asked them to continue helping the city and his administration in all its priority programs for health and education, especially to the indigents.

The city has four hospitals and 49 health centers, all under City Health Officer Dra. Ma. Lorraine Sanchez. "By 2009, we will open the district hospital in District 3 to serve Binondo and Sta. Cruz and by 2010 another hospital in District 6 to serve Sta. Ana, Pandacan and Sta. Mesa," the Mayor stressed. 

"When all hospitals are open, then I can rightfully claim that the City of Manila is the first to have a hospital per district," the Mayor emphasized.

Ospital ng Tondo Director Dr. Teodoro Martin said he would like to expand the hospital from its current 50 bed capacity to 75 to 80 beds. "But the squatters occupying the land behind the hospital must first be relocated before we can start any expansion," Dr. Martin told Mayor Lim. (Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau) 



Manila Media Bureau
September 16, 2008

LIM MEETS WITH HEADS OF PUBLIC MARKETS

The heads of 17 public markets in the City of Manila called on Mayor Alfredo S. Lim at City Hall to voice their concern of constant flooding of the markets during heavy rains and the clogged drains.

They also asked the Mayor if separate toilets could be built in their markets for use of the vendors and the market goers.

The head of Wagas market in Tondo, which was gutted by fire last week, also requested the immediate re-building of the market, this time with comfort rooms in them.

The Mayor asked City Administrator Jay Marzan to find immediate solutions to their concerns while tasking City Engineer Armando Andres to immediately attend to the clogged drains and pipes, which are causing the constant flooding inside the market.

Called the Manila Federation of Public Markets Leaders Association, the group is currently headed by Juliet Peredo, the head of Bambang Market. The group is composed of heads of markets, including big ones like Sta. Ana, Aranque, Central, Paco, Bambang, Divisoria, Obrero-Blumentritt, San Andres and Sampaloc.

The group also requested the Mayor for immediate cementing or paving of the roads leading to the markets for the convenience of market goers. “Bako bako po ang mga kalsada patungo sa karamihan ng mga palengke sa Maynila,” they said. (Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)



Manila Media Bureau
September 15, 2008

LIM PAYS TRIBUTE TO MEXICAN HERO

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning led city officials in celebrating with the Mexican Embassy in Manila the independence of Mexico and laid a wreath on the monument of Don Miguel Hidalgo de Costilla along Bonifacio Drive in Port Area.

The Mayor said “the link between Mexico and the Philippines is intimate and in our interconnected histories, Mexico, as our older sister, led us on the road to freedom when in 1821, after Mexico declared its independence, Mexico has also inspired the Filipinos to revolt against the colonial rule of Spain.”

Minister Jose Oramas Cadena, Mexican Embassy Charge d’ Affaires, joined the mayor in the wreath-laying ceremony. 

The mayor said both the Philippines and Mexico were colonies of foreign countries before and the reason we are celebrating the 198th anniversary of Mexican Independence is because we both value the fight for independence. 

“Today, the Filipino people in general, and Manila in particular, join Mexico in celebrating the 198th anniversary of Mexican Independence. Viva Mexico!” Lim said.

“In the future, if some other countries will again occupy your country and our country, we will stand and fight side by side for our independence.” Lim added.

To show appreciation and give recognition to Mexico’s liberator and national hero, the Filipinos named Plaza Hidalgo in Intramuros, in honor of President Miguel Hidalgo de Costilla. 

The guests present during the simple wreath-laying ceremony were Cuban Ambassador Jorge Rey Jimenez, Panama Ambassador Juan Felipe Pitty, Ambassador Jose Macario Laurel of Philippine-Mexican Business Council, Mexican Embassy Consul Miguel Angel George, Dr. Jaime Laya of the Philippine-Mexican Business Council, Carmela Teresa Cabrera of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Bambie Harper of Intramuros Administration, Carina Garcia Guerra and the staff of the Embassy of Mexico. (Marlyn Siglos, Manila Media Bureau) 



Manila Media Bureau
September 13, 2008

LIM UNVEILS SAKAY’S 1ST MONUMENT

As promised last year in the death centennial of Gen. Macario Sakay and his fellow Katipuneros from Tondo, Manila Mayor Alfredo S.. Lim this morning unveiled the first monument of Sakay at the Plaza Morga in Moriones, Tondo as a fitting tribute to their heroic rebellion against the American colonial rule.

“Bihira sa atin ang nakakaalam ng kasaysayan ni Gen. Sakay, nang sumapi siya sa digmaan ay 24 anyos lang siya, wala siyang naabot na mataas na pinag-aralan, walang masteral o doctorate degree. It means hindi siya nakaabot sa college. Ngunit sa pagnanasa at mainit na pagmamahal sa bayan, sumali siya sa himagsikan. Kasama niya sina Gat. Andres Bonifacio at Emilio Jacinto, who are both from Tondo,” the Mayor said. (No one remembers the personal history of Gen. Sakay. He did not reach college, nor a masteral or doctorate degree. Yet, he joined the revolution alongside Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto, who are both from Tondo).

Noon, pansariling kapakanan lamang ang iniisip. Mabuti na lamang at mayroon tayong Kongresista dito sa District I na walang ibang inisip kung hindi paano maglingkod sa bayan. Siya po ay sina Congressman Benjamin “Atong” Asilo at Konsehal Bobby Lim. Ngunit ilan lamang sila sa mga taong isinasantabi ang pansariling interes..napapanood naman ninyo sa TV, or nababasa sa mga dyaryo ang karamihan sa di-umanong naglilingkod sa bayan ay walang ibang inisip kung hindi paano patatabain ang bulsa at pagyayamanin ang sarili,” he stressed. (Before politicians thought only of themselves. It’s a good thing that District 1 have dedicated public servants like Congressman Benjamin “Atong” Asilo and Councilor Bobby Lim who are after the welfare of their constituents.)

The Mayor then challenged his audience: “Mayroon tayong sariling damdamin at pag-iisip, kaya’t kayo na ang humusga. Pagpupugay at pagpapahalaga ang sakripisyo ni Hen.Sakay, sana magkaisa tayo na manindigan, tumayo at makipaglaban para sa bayan. Kung tama, tama at kung mali, mali. Hindi pwedeng magkasama yan,” the Mayor emphasized. 

“Sana lahat tayo ang ituro natin sa ating mga anak ay yung kabutihan at kanais-nais na kaugalian natin bilang Pilipino-- iyan ang mga di-marunong magbalat-kayo, di- 

marunong manlinlang, at di marunong magkunwari o mag-abuso sa kanyang katungkulan. Sana ang mga nanunungkulan sa bayan ay mabuksan din ang loob ang 

damdamin, ang diwa at puso sa tunay na paglilingkod sa bayan na ipinamalas at ipinakita sa atin ng mga bayani,” he said. (I hope that all of us here will teach our youth the proper Filipino values: not being hypocrites, not to deceive and use our positions to further only our personal interests but rather genuine public service to our countrymen like our heroes did).

“We face a lot of crisis and problems that require cooperation and unity. Not dragging down those that are truly working. I hope the likes of Congressman Asilo, who is a dedicated civil servant. 

Among those who attended the unveiling of Sakay’s monument and wreath- laying were: Congressman Asilo; Councilor Lim; City School Superintendent Dra. Ma. Luisa Quinones; Atty. Luis Sioson, representative from the National Historical Institute; Gemma Cruz-Araneta, OIC of the Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau’ Daniel Sakay, grandson of Macario Sakay’ Bonifacio Dinglasan, barangay chairman of Barangay 6, Zone 1 of District 1 in Tondo; department heads, teachers and students from the Isabelo de los Reyes Elementary School and barangay chairmen and kagawads from Tondo. (By Jenny Berenguer, Manila Media Bureau)


Manila Media Bureau
September 13, 2008

DISTRICT 2 PEOPLE FLOCK TO CTY HALL FOR PEOPLE'S DAY

Bulwagang Villegas was packed with District 2 residents wanting to have an audience with Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and his key officials and they came even before 9 a.m. so they could get seated. 

The Mayor came in by 10:15 a.m. as he came from the turnover of the two container vans turned into court rooms for use of the Manila City Jail for its daily hearings. He begged the indulgence of the District 2 residents and barangay officials.

A resident near the PNR railroad track—though not covered by those to be relocated—said they wanted to buy the land they were squatting on so they sought a resolution from the City Council, which was given them. But the Mayor said the resolution is like a request. "If the Council does not tell us where to get the money from to buy the land, then that is like a carpenter whose service is being sought but he is not being given the implements to do the job."

The Estero in Tutuban is clogged with garbage and a house is blocking the flow of water. The Mayor asked City Engineer Armando Andres to inspect the site and check what needs to be done. 

In Tondo, rugby-sniffing children resort to hold-ups and snatching because they know they can not be arrested by police as they are minors. But Col. Alex Gutierrez explained that they must report it to the police, who will gather the children and bring them to the Department of Social Welfare, which will turn them over to the Manila-run Boystown facility in Marikina City. Manila DSW OIC Jay de la Fuente said the children will be subjected to case conferences.

A resident of J. Abad Santos said the area near the LRT terminal there, being deserted at night, is conducive to hold-ups. The Mayor directed the police to assign roving policemen in the area. 

The Mayor directed City Engineer Andres to inspect and get to the bottom of the flooding reported by the residents living in the Masangkay area.

The Mayor advised them to return next week for the People's Day and appraise him as to what action, if any, had been done to solve their problems and concerns "Kung kulang pa, let me know para magawan ng paraan," the Mayor said.



Manila Media Bureau
September 13, 2008

MAYOR LIM HANDS OUT IDS FOR DISABLED

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim distributed Friday morning identification cards and purchase booklets to 200 disabled Manilans who, like senior citizens, will now be entitled to special discounts on their purchases and express lanes in food shops and business establishments, including City Hall.

The IDs and special privileges are in accordance with Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled persons and for other Purposes and its amendment under R.A. 9442.

Before distributing the ID cards, the Mayor read out the privileges of the disabled as: 20%