METRO MATTERS Flooding has been one of the most persistent challenges in Metro Manila and across the Philippines, disrupting daily life, damaging homes, and slowing our progress year after year. We are now taking a decisive step forward. Our cities need solutions rooted in engineering, guided by...
METRO MATTERS By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA The dry season is here, and with it comes rising temperatures and record-breaking heat indices. Across the country, extreme heat is putting students at risk, making immediate action not just necessary but critical. The heat index, why it matters...
METRO MATTERS By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA For months, the weight of rising prices of rice has been a heavy burden on Filipino families, with prices hitting an all-time high of up to ₱60 per kilogram. Since rice is a staple in every household, this sharp increase has put a significant strain on...
METRO MATTERS By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA For 125 years, the Manila Bulletin has stood as a pillar of Philippine journalism. What began as a modest shipping journal on Feb. 2, 1900, has grown into one of the country’s largest and most influential newspapers. It has shaped public...
METRO MATTERS By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA Education has always been the foundation of my leadership. From the moment I took office as mayor, I made a commitment not just to improve our schools but to transform them into centers of excellence where every child has the tools to succeed. Education...
METRO MATTERS By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA San Juan City sits at the heart of Metro Manila, where the streets buzz with life. Every day, thousands of vehicles and people move through our city, making it a vital crossroads in the National Capital Region. But with this importance comes a challenge:...
METRO MATTERS Christmas is here, bringing with it the traditions we Filipinos cherish most: shopping for gifts for our loved ones, celebrations, and get-togethers. Yet, alongside the joy of the season comes a familiar challenge that tests our patience — traffic congestion. Metro Manila’s main...
METRO MATTERS By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA Sisterhood agreements – or town-twinning partnerships – trace their origins to the aftermath of World War II. They began as acts of reconciliation, such as the 1944 alliance between Coventry in England and Stalingrad in Russia, and evolved into...
By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA When Typhoon Carina hit San Juan, our San Juan Gym was activated as the main evacuation center. It became more than just a shelter—it was a lifeline. As mayor of the City of San Juan since 2019, I have witnessed how a well-run evacuation center can make all...
GUEST COLUMNIST By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA The barangay is the most basic political unit in the Philippines. Its concept dates back long before the Spaniards came to our country. It originated from the word “balangay”, the traditional boat used by early Filipino settlers who built their...
GUEST COLUMNIST By Mayor Francis Zamora Historically, a caravan is a group of people or a company of travelers, particularly traders or pilgrims traveling together from one place to another to transport their goods or go to a place of worship. We can also see biblical references to...
GUEST COLUMNIST By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA Allow me to give my answer by first inviting you to take a look at the big picture of the war on drugs. Illegal drugs remains to be one of the biggest social problems in the Philippines—one major catalyst of crimes which compromises the country’s...
