Manila Vice Mayor Chi Atienza

Manila Vice Mayor Chi Atienza urged barangay leaders to help in strengthening the Capital City's tourism industry which is one of the major drivers of the city's economy and provide more job opportunities to Manileños.

Atienza made the statement on Tuesday, Sept. 23, during the "Strengthening the Tourism-Oriented Barangays of Manila" seminar, a two-day event designed to rally tourism committee chairpersons from all 896 barangays in the city, in line with City Ordinance No. 8976, which requires the creation of a tourism committee in every barangay. 

Led by the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of Manila (DTCAM), the initiative aims to empower local officials as the main drivers of tourism, aligning with the administration's vision of “Making Manila Great Again.”

“Alam ninyo, natutuwa po ako, dahil noong mga panahon na kami ay nangangampanya ni Mayor Isko Moreno, talagang consistent kami at sinabi namin na itataguyod namin ang minimum basic needs dito sa Manila (You know, I'm glad, because during the time that Mayor Isko Moreno and I were campaigning, we were really consistent in saying that we would promote minimum basic needs here in Manila)," Atienza said.

She cited securing the welfare of citizens through successful housing projects and accessible health centers and building upon that stable foundation to create more job opportunities for Manileños.

By mentioning the city’s focus on employment, the vice mayor noted that in terms of livelihood and jobs, they are currently planning many programs.

“In fact, we are collaborating with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) to help more persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens return to the workforce," she explained.

"Itong inisyatibang ginagawa ng DTCAM ay isang simbolo na kasama ang mga barangay para buhayin muli ang kagalingan ng bawat barangay dito sa Manila. Nakikita niyo naman kung gaanong buhay na buhay ang goberyno dito sa Manila na pati ang tourism natin binubuhay na rin natin (This initiative by DTCAM is a symbol that we are working with the barangays to revive the well-being of each barangay here in Manila. You can see how active and responsive our government here in Manila is, to the point that we are also reviving our tourism industry simultaneously)," she added.

In her speech, Atienza bared a clear economic vision where local identity directly contributes to livelihoods. 

“As I look at each and every barangay, each and every district, mayroon po tayong angking galing, at kayamanan. Kung kayo mismo ang makakakilala at makaka-appreciate ng history ng inyong mga sinasakupan, mas kakayanin natin i-promote kung ano man ang kagandahan at kagalingan ng ating mga barangay. I also believe that if we strengthen tourism in every barangay and livelihood in Manila, it will flourish again (As I look at each and every barangay, each and every district, we have our own strengths and wealth. If you yourself know and appreciate the history of your constituents, we will be able to promote the beauty and well-being of our barangays. I also believe that if we strengthen tourism in every barangay and livelihood in Manila, it will flourish again," said the vice mayor.

She added that the city government has already prepared a series of programs and initiatives aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs, including a partnership with digital platforms like TikTok Shop to help small businesses reach a larger market.