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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider 'Pasensiya na kayo': Mayor Isko explains lack of Christmas decors in Manila

'Pasensiya na kayo': Mayor Isko explains lack of Christmas decors in Manila

Published Nov 25, 2025 11:09 am  |  Updated Nov 25, 2025 01:17 pm
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso (Photo from Manila PIO)
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso (Photo from Manila PIO)

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso apologized to Manileños over the lack of Christmas decors, particularly Christmas lanterns (parol) adorned across the streets in Manila on Monday, Nov. 24, as he explained he had to prioritize the allocation of funds for social aid and the payment of the city's debts left by the previous administration.

"Pasensiya na kayo, ha? Wala akong ilalagay na parol sa buong Maynila. Pagpasensiyahan n’yo na ako, eh kasi that would cost P14 million. Eh, ayaw ko namang makapamuhay nang marangya tapos magdadahilan ako sa inyo ng 'nganga' (I'm sorry, but I won't put up any parols in the city of Manila because that would cost P14 million. I don't want us to live a luxurious life and then make excuses to you after that there's no funds left in the city)," Domagoso explained.

"Pero hindi ibig sabihin n’un walang parol, walang Pasko. Basta ang importante sa Pasko, nand’yan ang pamilya natin (But that doesn't mean no parol, no Christmas. What matters the most is that we are with our families)," he added.

The mayor recently announced that the city government had already cleared more than P317 million of unpaid utility obligations inherited from the previous administration.

Domagoso said the city paid P217 million in Meralco arrears covering Sept. 2024 to May 2025 and P9 million in overdue telecommunication bills.

He added that Manila also settled P16 million owed to Manila Water and cleared P73 million in Maynilad arrears from October 2024, with a remaining balance still being processed.

The mayor explained the payments reflect the administration’s efforts to strengthen fiscal management and restore the city’s financial stability and thanked Manila taxpayers for making the settlement possible.

Benefits and allowances

The city government's careful budgeting, improved revenue collection, and strengthened financial controls also allowed it to allocate enough funds for social aid and other benefits for city employees and seniors.

Domagoso first ordered P317,014,291.84 in year-end bonuses and cash gifts for regular City Hall staff.

Meanwhile, a total of P171 million in allowances for senior citizens has also been released to the beneficiaries across the city.

According to the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW), the funds cover October to November allowances distributed to registered senior citizens in all six districts of the city.

Each senior citizen will receive P6,000 each on Dec. 11, 12, and 13.

The payout aims to provide financial relief for basic needs, medical expenses, and other daily necessities of Manila’s elderly residents.

More than P22.3 million in allowances for prosecutors and judges assigned to the city have also been disbursed as part of ongoing year-end benefit payouts to City Hall employees.

The mayor said the city will settle back allowances owed to prosecutors, Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) judges, and Regional Trial Court (RTC) judges.

The local government said the payouts cover various periods from April to October 2025 for prosecutors and from May to September 2025 for judges, depending on their respective allocations.

Related Tags

ISKO MORENO DOMAGOSO MANILA CITY PAROL CHRISTMAS METRO NEWS BUDGET ALLOCATION BENEFITS ALLOWANCES SENIOR CITIZENS SOCIAL AID DEBT
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