Mayor Joseph Estrada, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno lead Manila Day celebration: “Walang bansa na uunlad kung walang kapayapaan”
by Leony R. Garcia
When former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada assumed office on June 30, 2013, as mayor of the city of Manila, he has found a good tandem with Tondo-born Vice Mayor Franciso Domogosa aka Isko Moreno.
Together, they are joined by fellow showbiz personalities, among them Councilors Yul Servo and Robert Ortega Jr., in leading the restoration of Manila to its former glory.
The Estrada administration has set its mind on security and sanitation as among the priorities for the city capital of the Philippines.
“As I have experienced, walang bayan, walang lungsod, walang lalawigan o walang bansa na uunlad kung walang kapayapaan,” the former president was quoted in early interviews.
“Hindi natin itataboy yung vendors, ilalagay lang sa ayos at ang tatanggalin natin yung mga kotong,” he also noted.
On sanitation he said: “[Cleanliness] is one of my father’s legacies and I will follow that,” Estrada added, noting that his administration will provide a new chapter in Manila’s development.
“Noong araw, ang aking ama ay isang sanitary engineer. Noong panahon niya malinis ang Maynila at hindi kinukontrata ang basura kaya yung mga kontra-kontrata iba yan eh,” he added.
True to his words the then newly-installed mayor and his team readily embarked on the mission of cleaning Manila.
Finding the finances of the city in dismal state, he personally led cleaning the streets and esteros of Manila.
“Nagsimula po tayo sa mga programang hindi masyadong nangangailangan ng pera. Nagwalis po tayo at naglinis ng kapaligiran. Nanguna po ang office of the mayor, office of the vice mayor, department of public services at ang Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission ni Gina Lopez sa city-wide clean-up. Sumali rin po tayo sa mga Manila Bay clean-up activities. Inayos po natin ang mga imburnal at naglinis din ng mga estero,” Estrada reported in the State Of The City Address City Of Manila Mayor, delivered on June 23, as part of the celebration of Araw ng Maynila.
After the clean-up drives, Estrada and his team conducted dialogues with vendors in Quiapo, Divisoria and Claro M. Recto Ave., at City Hall’s Bulwagang Katipunan and discussed about the cleanliness and smooth flow of traffic in the vendors’ areas. The local government assured the vendors that nobody is allowed to collect any fees over and above the legal fees for vending imposed by the City Treasurer’s Office. Eventually, specified areas were given to them for more orderly stall spaces, including safe night market for the vendors.
Then the new government embarked on a bolder move by banning buses in Manila. To this day, Manila has maintained the ban against buses without registration and terminals in the city. The next move was the truck ban, to which the mayor said “that Manila (in fact, the whole of Metro Manila) has been suffering from traffic congestion for decades and it was time something was done.”
Eventually, the truck ban was blamed for port congestion in the city and was lifted on September 2014 after a month of its implementation.
Estrada issued Executive Order 67, ordering the immediate lifting of the truck ban in the city to give way to the efforts of the national government to address ports congestion, blamed for heavy traffic in Metro Manila.
The mayor insisted that both the bans on the buses and trucks have done more good than harm, saying they have finally eased traffic conditions in the city.
“Maraming benefit dito sa truck ban. Greater benefit, and the majority is happy, especially with the people of Manila. Nakakapasok na yung mga estudyante on time, pati yung mga nag-oopisina,” Estrada said.
He added that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) should be thankful that the problem of colorum or unregistered trucks has been exposed.
Today, Manila celebrates Araw ng Maynila, a special non-working holiday, when Manilans pay tribute to the city’s colorful history, culture, and heritage, and recognize companies, officials, and individuals who contribute to its growth and progress.
Manila is home to Malacañang, the national seat of government, world heritage sites, historic churches and buildings, the oldest Chinatown in the world, government offices, big universities, large shopping malls, call centers, theme parks, bars and restaurants.
Three major events are lined up this year: First, awarding of “Outstanding Manilans 2015“ to honor men and women from Manila who have contributed invaluably to the development of the city and its people. Outstanding barangays and barangay leaders, public and private educators, prosecutors and judges are also cited. Second, “Patnubay ng Sining and Kalinangan Awards” that recognize Filipino artists. Third, Miss Manila 2014 beauty pageant, a fund-raising project to benefit dialysis patients. Yearly activities are cleanest barangay award, giftgiving, medical mission, photo exhibit, sportsfest, street dancing, flea market, job fair, and food festival.
From Philippine Showbiz Republic (PSR), we greet Manilans on their 444th foundation day: Maligayang Araw ng Maynila!
