LIM INAUGURATES NEW SCHOOL BUILDING

 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning led the ribbon cutting that formally opened the four-story, 3,024 square meter building of the Tondo High School.

He was accompanied by Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Cong. Ben Asilo, both products of Manila public high schools, along with Mayor Lim.

The new building has 10 classrooms located at the second and third floors while the fourth floor is the multi-purpose hall. On the ground floor is an open area. Each floor has two toilets– for girls and boys.

The blessing was officiated by Rev. Fr. Eduardo Hila, assistant parish priest Don Bosco Parish.

The city spent P70 million for the building. 

The new building is a symbol of the care and concern of the dynamic and able leadership of Lim and Domagoso.

Domagoso is a product of Tondo High School, who praised his alma mater for molding him into what he is now.

Congressman Asilo is also a product of public school as he showed his debt of gratitude to the city public school system.

Lim said the new building is dedicated to students, teachers and school principal. The Mayor said he is a product of the P. Gomez Elementary School.

He said one of his priority is education which is why I am putting up new school buildings, elementary and high schools.

The Mayor said education is the only way out of poverty and the road to a brighter future. “Strive to finish not just grade school or high school but college as well, which are provided by the city free to Manilans. Who knows, 50 years from now, the next leader will come from this school, just like me and vice mayor”, he added.

Lim stressed that the building was paid by taxpayers money as he reminded the students and teachers to maintain it properly.

Also present during the inauguration were: City Engineer Armando Andres, City School Superintendent Dr. Ponciano Menguito, Tondo High School principal Wenifrida Lazarte-Lagman, assistant superintendents, teachers, students, and department heads.

LIM ORDERS PROBE ON TREE-CUTTING IN MANILA

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim firmly ordered the immediate investigation of the chopped seven old trees along Qurino Avenue, where photo was shown in a daily newspaper on March 11, 2010.

The trees located along P. Quirino Avenue near P. Gil St., were cut upon request of the landowner, a certain Federico Dy with address at 1400 Pres. Quirino Avenue cor., South Super Highway, Manila,  to give way to the construction of a gas station in the area.

 “Manila has a tree-planting policy and campaign. We plant trees every Saturday and it’s a continuous campaign. Then these people will just cut these trees for commercial purpose and personal gains? We cannot allow this act to just slip through our fingers,” Lim said, aghast at the news column with photo in the paper.

“We need to file appropriate charges against the agency responsible and the people involved,” he added.

 City Engineer Armando L Andres upon the directive of Mayor Lim immediately instructed Engr. Josephine Saing, District Engineer  of 5th District to investigate on the matter.

Andres presented a copy of  tree-cutting permit issued to Dy by Dr. Jose Andres L. Diaz, OIC, Regional Executive Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Capital Region (DENR-NCR), which allowed the landowner to cut six (6) trees (3 Narra and 3 Mahogany) to give way for the construction of the proposed Metro Oil Gas Station.

 The permit stated, “Cognizant thereto and pursuant to the Memorandum dated November 27, 2009 of secretary Jose L. Atienza Jr., setting guidelines and procedures on the planting, maintenance and removal of trees in urban areas and in areas affected by government infrastructure projects, a Tree Cutting Permit is hereby granted…”

 The permit was accompanied by a certificate of compliance signed by Bernadette P. Atienza, FMS II, DENR-NCR, which showed that the requirement to provide a replacement of 260 saplings of assorted indigenous/endemic species was delivered.

 Lim said that it takes years to grow these old trees and yet the agency which is supposed to guard against the destruction of these elements of nature committed the violation by allowing a private company to cut the trees.

He also pertained back to the incident in Intramuros, where DENR filed charges against Anna Maria “Bambi” Harper, Intramuros administrator, for violation of Presidential Decree 953, specifically Sec. 3 that states: “Any person who cuts, destroys, damages or injures naturally growing or planted trees of any kind shall be punished with imprisonment of no less than six months and not more than two years, or a fine of not less than P500 and not more than P5,000, or with both such imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court.”

 Harper however had plead indirect involvement with the cutting of the 29 trees in Intramuros, as the contractor was the party at fault.

 “It’s similar to the trees cut in Intramuros. So why would this case be any different? It was a clear violation of the law. Besides, this gas station is a private entity, not a government infrastructure project, giving them no authority to cut them trees,” Lim explained. 

 Chief of Staff Ricardo De Guzman scheduled an immediate ocular inspection with the Mayor of the site on Friday afternoon together with City Legal officer Atty. Renato dela Cruz, City Engineer Armando Andres, Engr. Walfrido Novero, City Administrator Jesus Mari Marzan, Atty. Solfia Arboladura of Manila Tourism & Cultural Affairs Bureau, and Atty. Analyn Buan of Manila Barangay Bureau.

Atty. Arboladura said that they have also clearly violated the Republic Act 3571, AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE CUTTING, DESTROYING OR INJURING OF PLANTED OR GROWING TREES, FLOWERING PLANTS AND SHRUBS OR PLANTS OF SCENIC VALUE ALONG PUBLIC ROADS,IN PLAZAS, PARKS, SCHOOL PREMISES OR IN ANY OTHER PUBLIC GROUND.

Atty. Dela Cruz said, appropriate complaints are already prepared for filing. He said the permit granted to Dy was unreasonable.

Andres detached the board bearing the building permit  information saying that they have already revoked such permit, thus they must stop the construction.

10th CITY LIBRARY OPENS IN MANILA

Another public library for the residents of Manila was inaugurated at the Patricia Sports Complex Thursday morning as part of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim’s 11-point agenda on the improvement of education.　

Mayor Lim’s vision of bringing the city closer to the people made Patricia Sports Complex a perfect example where the compound is comprised of basketball court, children’s playground, satellite office, day care center, health center, fitness gym and the latest addition of a public library.

　

According to City Librarian Helen Grace Cacho the Patricia library is the 10^th public library in the city and the first in the 2^nd district which is located at the 3^rd floor of Patricia Sports Complex.

　

Cacho also said that the library is the third public library that is fully air conditioned aside from Fugoso and Paco Libraries.

　

Mayor’s Complaint and Action Team Chief Col Franklin Gacutan (Ret) who represented in behalf of the mayor said that residents should encourage the youths especially the out-of-school youths to spend some time in the library as one way to gain more knowledge.

　

The Patricia library has reference books such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs and other book and toy collections for children, mathematics, sciences and a children section would look like a semi day-care and a semi recreational section.

　

The city library has also “Manilañana Collection” where they collect different facts, news articles or books about the City of Manila.　 It also has subscription to different current newspapers from broadsheets to tabloids for those who wanted to be updated on the events around the globe.

　

As Gacutan’s parting words to the parents and some children of the day care centers, he told them to look at the mayor as a living example of a person or leader where money was never a hindrance to education and success.

　

Accompanying Gacutan and Cacho in the inauguration were 3^rd district Representative Jaime Lopez, Ruben Yu and Rev Fr Ferdie Fajardo, Parish Priest of St. Joseph and some city department heads.

 

LIM BANS PROV’L BUSES TO ENTER MANILA

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim formally ordered the banning of provincial buses from entering the city starting April 1 during the dialogue with the different bus operators traveling in Manila, at the Antonio Villegas Hall in city hall Tuesday morning.

Lim also said his decision on the banning of buses from entering the city in April is for operators to have enough preparation on how to shuttle their passengers from Vito Cruz to Lawton. And regular classes are already off by April.

During the past dialogue, Mayor Lim and operators of provincial buses reached a compromise agreement for a better re-routing scheme regarding the entry of provincial buses along Manila thoroughfares to lessen heavy traffic situation especially along Taft Avenue. But, traffic jams along city thoroughfares especially in Taft Avenue are still being experienced by different motorists.

Another reason of Mayor Lim in banning the buses was the issue involving some traffic policemen and traffic enforcers receiving grease-money from the buses parked at the Lawton area. “Halos araw-araw ay binabatikos kami tungkol dyan sa Lawton na di umano merong lagayan. Ang pinagbibintangan traffic police, Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB), lahat na sinangkot na. Paano natin maiaalis sa isipan ng mga tao yang mga suspetsa o pangyayari, dahil kung hindi kayo makapapasok wala na sigurong lagayan”, Lim said.

Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman presided the meeting with Manila Police District Director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay and Manila Traffic Police Chief Col. Rizaldy Yap to discuss further the best way to re-route the buses in Vito Cruz.

Lim further said that the bus operators must be able to come up with shuttle vehicles to be used for their passengers travelling inside Manila, “ang common complaint nga lang kasi diyan, yung mga pasahero lalo na estudyante dagdag pamasahe kung mula Pasay papuntang Maynila. Kaya sabi ko sana magprovide sila ng shuttle na libre para maghatid mula sa boundary paloob ng Maynila o kaya, magbawas sila ng pamasahe, tutal ang bayad halimbawa ay hanggang lawton, ibawas nila yon para hindi na gagastos ng extra ang mga pasahero.”

SJS COMPLAINT AGAINST LIM – MORENO DISMISSED

Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the complaint filed by the advocates for environmental and social justice against Respondents Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Vice Mayor Francisco M. Domagoso.

The complaint for conduct prejudicial to public interest and Violation of oath office was filed by the advocates represented by Atty. Vladimir Alarique Cabigao, a candidate for councilor under the wing of Former Sec. Joselito Atienza Jr. of Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR), alleging Lim and Moreno that the signing of the Ordinance No. 8187 which amended ordinance 8027 reverting to industrial classification the land use of the Pandacan oil depot, formed an indirect repeal of the Supreme Court decision in Social Justice Society, Vladimir Alarique T. Cabigao and Bonifacio Tumbokon vs. Jose L. Atienza Jr.

Lim, glad of the dismissal, said he has been confident that the that the Ombudsman will resolve to dismiss the complaint.

“From the very start, it’s already obvious that it’s politically motivated,” Lim stated.

 

The Background:

The Pandacan oil depot issue started back in Atienza’s incumbency as Mayor when he approved the Ordinance No. 8027, in November 28, 2001 and promulgated on December 28, 2001.

Ordinance 8027 reclassified the Oil Depot area in Pandacan from Industrial to Commercial Zone effectively prohibiting the continuous existence and operation of Oil companies in that area.

On June 26, 2002 , the city (under Atienza) and the Department of Energy entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the oil companies in which they (oil companies) agreed that “the scaling down of the Pandacan Terminals was the most viable and practicable option.”

The scaling down includes the immediate decommissioning/removal of 28 tanks starting with the LPG spheres and the commencing works for the creation of safety buffer and green zones surrounding the Pandacan Terminals.

The council ratified the MOU in Resolution No. 97 and declared that the MOU was effective only for six months beginning July 25, 2002 .

On Jan. 30, 2003 the council adopted Resolution No. 13 extending the validity of Resolution No. 97 to April 30, 2003 and authorizing Atienza to issue special business permits to the oil companies. Resolution No. 13, series of 2003, also called for a reassessment of the ordinance.

And In June 16, 2006, Ordinance 8119 known as “Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Zoning Regulations” was enacted. This ordinance ordered companies classified as Medium and Heavy Industries to cease operation in Manila within seven (7) years. In this ordinance, other companies such as Unilever, PhilMatchCo, and others were affected.

In response to the possible economic deterioration which will be caused by removal of these companies that would result to numbers of unemployment, as well as more danger that will be posted in transferring the oil depots, Ordinance No. 8187 was proposed, passed, and approved by Lim on May 28, 2009, after series of dialogue with President Gloria Arroyo’s cabinet members, social groups, business groups, and Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.

Mending Fences:

Cabigao, a lawyer and visible representative of the Social Justice Society (SJS) group filed case against Atienza on the same Pandacan Oil Depot issue, where the Supreme Court (SC) granted the petition of the former which rendered the latter to perform his ministerial duty and enforce the order of the SC to enforce Ordinance No. 8027, which will dismantle the Big Three oil depots (Shell, Chevron, Petron).

Cabigao, was also reported to lead the protests against Atienza when he was appointed as DENR Secretary.

Now, Cabigao, running as a councilor under the political faction of Atienza, looked after his interests in politics and had obviously mended fences with him to share common beliefs after their disagreements.

“They used to call Mayor Lim a political butterfly but who is now jumping into their foe’s fences, ameliorating their differences for political gains,” a supporter of Lim said, “at least our Mayor has been very consistent and has strong principles,” he added talking about Lim.

The Decision:

In the resolution, it stated that under Section 20 of RA 6770 , otherwise known as The Ombudsman Act of 1989 it provided, “Exceptions. – The Office of the Ombudsman may not conduct the necessary investigation of any administrative act as it is believed that the complainant has an adequate remedy in another judicial or quasi-judicial body and the complaint pertains to a matter outside the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ombudsman…”

It further stated that the complainants in charging Mayor Lim and Vice-Mayor Domagoso are actually questioning the validity or constitutionality of Ordinance No. 8187 which the two had signed. And the Ombudsman’s office was not the office to rule on the said issue.

Furthermore, the complaint is under the power of the SC as it pertained the constitutionality of the ordinance signed. The resolution was approved by Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez Ombudsman, Office of the Ombudsman, in Diliman Quezon City.

OSPITAL NG TONDO GETS PLAQUE FROM DOH

Ospital ng Tondo Director Dr. Marlon Millares last Monday paid a call on Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim to present to the Mayor the plaque of recognition it received from the Department of Health for its invaluable contribution to the anti paputok drive of DOH last December.

Millares said, Ospital ng Tondo was given the recognition last March 4,2010 by DOH during the recently- concluded Consultative Meeting of the Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Kontra Paputok at the City state Tower Hotel, Ermita.

Only three of 50 participating sentinel hospitals nationwide were awarded the recognition for their invaluable and dedicated support to the ONEISS-kontra Paputok of DOH.

Ospital ng Tondo and two other hospitals from Ilocos and Davao were the three recipients of the award were awarded for the first time since the fireworks Injuiry Surveillance was initiated in 1991 by the department.

The criteria for selecting the awards are: timeliness of reporting, accuracy of reports and completeness of reporting covering the period from December 21,2009 to January 5,2010.

During the period, Ospital ng Tondo registered the third most number of cases of fireworks injuiry (42 cases or seven percent of total) next only to Jose Reyes Medical Center and East Avenue Medical Center.

This record forms an integral part of DOH’s effort to intensiy the campaign of Oplan Iwas Paputok.

LIM LAUNCHES BASECO PLAYGROUND 3

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim inaugurated Saturday morning the new  Baseco playground 3, at Baseco Compound in line with his priority program of providing children with wholesome entertainment areas to spend their free time in. The blessing was presided by Rev. Fr. Willy Araña of San Agustin Parish.  

Public Recreations Bureau Director Deogracias Manimbo said the playground has an area of 250 square meters and this is the 9^th playground opened under Mayor Lim’s watch. Next to be inaugurated is the Sta. Ana and Sampaloc playgrounds.  

Lim said that playgrounds are for children and residents of Baseco to give them a chance to play with such equipment. “Ang mga anak ng mahihirap ay may karapatang makapaglaro ng mga modernized playground equipments. The playground is not only for children but also for parents to while their time away since the playgrounds are well lighted at night.  

He also requested the residents around the playground to maintain cleanliness and to take good care of the equipment.

“Bukod dito sa playground, magtatayo din kami ng health center at palengke na malinis at sementado para sa inyo upang hindi na kayo lalayo pa”.

Last December 2008, the city inaugurated the first Baseco playground and the second last February 2009.

He reiterated his sermon to the youth: “Strive to finish  college so that you will someday be professionals. Education is my main priority.” There are two universities in the city that provides free education namely Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and City College of Manila.

“Yung Baseco High School building ay padadagdagan po natin ng rooms para first year to fourth year na ang mga papasok, para maglalakad na lamang sila at hindi na lalayo pa. Kaya natin ito ginagawa para sa kabutihan ng mga kabataan”.  He told the parents to take care and love their children and encourage them to pursue college degree.

LIM SWITCHES ON 341 LAMP POSTS ALONG QUIRINO AVENUE

 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim led city officials in the ceremonial lighting of the 341 lamp posts along Quirino Avenue that stretches from Roxas Boulevard to West Zamora in Paco Friday evening. The Quirino Avenue lighting is the longest street lighting installation in Manila covering 3 kilometers of lamp posts on both sides surpassing the stretch of Roxas Boulevard, said City Engineer Armand Andres. The lighting drew a lot of praises from current and former local executives of the city, residing along the stretch of Quirino Avenue.  Councilor Ramon Yupangco (5th District) who lives near Quirino Avenue said the lighting along this vital thoroughfare, a long-sought dream, will minimize the hold-up incident.  Yupangco said he has witnessed many of such crimes since he was a young boy. Former 5th district Representative Joey Hizon added that residents of Anak Bayan had been waiting for the lighting of Quirino Avenue for over nine years. Former Councilor Pablo “Chikee” Ocampo said Mayor Lim had revived the city while 6th district Councilor Ernesto Rivera said that present programs of the city must be continued and not changed by whoever gets elected in May. Also present during the ceremonial rites were City Electrician Ernesto Cuyugan;  Building Official Engr Melvin Balagot;  Col. Carlos Baltazar (Ret) of the Department of Public Services;  Ospital ng Maynila Memorial Medical Center OIC Dr Isaias Cando; newly-inaugurated Justice Jose Abad Santos Mother and Child Hospital director Dr. Teodoro Martin;  City Registrar Ma Josefa Encarnacion Ocampo;  Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center Director Dr Fidel Chua;  City College of Manila Vice-President for Administration and Finance Alma Solancho and Veterinary Inspection Board OIC Sonia Salmos.

LIM OFFICIATES 1ST MASS WEDDING AT CITY JAIL

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim officiated his first mass wedding of inmates at the Manila City Jail as mayor of Manila.

He wedded 17 couples in free civil wedding at the chapel inside the city jail.

Among those present were Bureau of Jail Management and Penology officers, City Civil Registrar Josefa Encarnacion Ocampo and Barangay Chairman Thelma Lim.

Ocampo said there were supposed to be 19 couples but they backed out because they did not meet the documentary requirements for a marriage license. Others did not pass the screening because they were already married and could not present a certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) from the National Statistics Office, a document that proves person’s eligibility to marry.

Lim advised each couple to continue loving and caring for each other despite the status of their husbands/wives, as marriage is part of a completion to a happy and normal living.

LIM PRAISES VERSOZA’S PRINCIPLES

 

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim lauded Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Jesus Versoza’s commitment not to follow illegal orders to perpetuate President Arroyo in power should a failure of election arise after the May 2010 polls.

Versoza was earlier reported to have voiced his objection to any possible plot to perpetuate Arroyo with the installation of Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit as Chief of Staff, vice Gen. Victor Ibrado.

 

In an interview earlier, Versoza said he would not back any move to keep President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in power if the May elections failed. He vowed not to obey illegal orders.

 

Lim said that Versoza showed his exemplary principle and integrity in the performance of his duty and must be a model to all officers and officials in the government.

 

“I admire his stand, i admire his principle. He is a true and brave enforcer of law and public servant. He has a clear respect for the rule of law. He is what the counrty needs,” Lim said.

 

“What he said was indeed constitutional. In the police we were trained and we vow to protect the rights of the people at all times and at all cost,” he added.

 

The mayor said that the real essence of democracy is to follow what is in the Constitution. And if the constitution states that after the term, there has to be a new president, then that must be it. No other means and ways must go against it.

 

He also added that the Filipinos have fought hard to gain their true freedom during the EDSA revolution (People Power) and it must not be wasted.