BATANG MAYNILA
Mayor Isko Moreno
Looking back on the year that was, it can be surmised that if there is anything good that the pandemic was able to do, it was to bring out the best in all of us and I can particulary say so in the case of the city officials, employees, and residents of Manila.
In the case of my beloved Manilans, they were and still are able to prove that they can follow rules to the letter and make the necessary sacrifices, if doing so would benefit the country as a whole. This came to the fore in the case of lockdowns and following mandated health protocols and they do make me proud.
Ditto with my fellow officials and employees who showed their mettle when they readily took on jobs that are beyond and above their call of duty.
Without fear and with utmost dedication, they all willingly served as and became instant frontliners as the entire city government became preoccupied with providing medical attention to COVID-19 victims and formulating and implementing measures aimed at stemming if not totally thwarting its community transmission.
Those not having anything to do with medical care did their share by helping out in the distribution of food and cash assistance to the populace.
With the intention of having everyone in the city covered amid the health emergency crisis, we in the local government gave our best effort to make the benefits felt and given with utmost swiftness and ease. These benefits include financial assistance of P500 monthly for Grade 12 students, PWDs, solo parents, and senior citizens and P1,000 for students of both the Universidad de Manila (UDM) and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). These benefits are contained in Manila City Ordinances number 8564 and 8565 which were passed by the Manila City Council under Vice Mayor and presiding officer Honey
Lacuna, Majority Floor leader Joel Chua, and members of the majority bloc and are but part of the local government's social amelioration stimulus package for qualified and deserving Manilans.
We had the benefits distributed simultaneously with the intention of ensuring that they would reach the recipients in time for Christmas so that everyone would have some money either to buy food, a gift for a loved one, or something for themselves.
In a span of two weeks, the city government released over P556 million for the benefits and our aim is to give all Manilans something to smile about amid the health crisis and assure them that the city government is by their side and that there is still hope.
At this point, I would like to commend the continuing efforts of those undertaking the distribution of the financial assistance, ensuring that they are given swiftly and in an orderly manner, in compliance with the minimum health protocols.
Manila social welfare department chief Re Fugoso who is in charge of the solo parents and PWDs, the Office of the Senior Citizens’ Affairs headed by Marjun Isidro which is in charge of the senior citizens, and UDM President Malou Tiquia deserve all the commendation and praises for carrying out the cash distribution in their areas of responsibility with utmost efficiency. I couldn’t be prouder and happier.
In the case of the PLM, what happened there is an isolated case. It was the only incident of its kind and I commend the team of city treasurer Jasmin Talegon for working overtime to attend to the students who piled up to get their allowance.
Again, my apologies to the students and parents of PLM and I humbly ask that they look at the incident as part of birth pangs and instead focus on the fact that the problem was addressed as quickly as possible and the allowances were given fully.
In the case of food assistance, we thank the volunteers who help in the repacking and city personnel who, along with the barangays help deliver the goods right at the residents’ doorstep. These personnel include those from the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau under Dennis Viaje and the City Engineer’s Office under Engr. Armand Andres, and the Department of Public Services headed by Kenneth Amurao, among many others.
The greatness of the people of Manila, its key officials and personnel have been put to a test and they passed it with flying colors. I can only thank God for having them by my side. Kudos!!!
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Gaya ng paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, kailangan ko ang tulong ninyong lahat. Walang magmamalasakit sa Maynila kundi tayo ding mga Batang Maynila. Manila, God first!***
Maari ninyong malaman ang mga pinakahuling kaganapan sa pamahalaang lungsod ngMaynila sa pamamagitan ng pagbisita sa aking kaisa-isang lehitimong Facebookaccount--- ‘Isko Moreno Domagoso.’