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...
GUEST COLUMNIST By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA Aug. 30 was a special non-working holiday in the City of San Juan, as ordered by the President. The wordings of Presidential Proclamation No. 328, "it is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of San Juan be given the full...
GUEST COLUMNIST By MAYOR FRANCIS ZAMORA Ever since I became mayor in 2019, I have always envisioned San Juan City to have smart classrooms as this was part of my 10-point agenda in local governance. Why? Because I strongly believe in empowering our students through progressive and up to date...
