Lim Defends City Employee

Lim defends Behan

Manila Bulletin

November 5, 2010, 5:22pm

MANILA, Philippines —  Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on Friday defended former Manila City Hall Media Bureau chief Eloisa Aniceta Behan from allegations that she was using the Mayor’s name to gain control over a posh condominium that the city government had recommended to be temporarily closed.

City Legal Officer Lawyer Renato dela Cruz said that Behan did not use the name of Mayor Lim to flex her influence among the members of the Royal Plaza Twin Towers Condominium Corp. (RPTTCC) seize the condominium from the former board of trustees, contrary to the reports that came out from different newspapers.

“We heard that majority of the residents living in Royal Plaza had voted Behan since the former trustees had been ineffective in terms of providing their needs. With that Mayor Lim, during a meeting, said that he will be standing by Behan,” he told the Manila Bulletin in a telephone interview.

Last Thursday, former RPTTCC president Julie Taneda and vice president Julita Lopez complained that Behan, who was now the current chief of the Manila City Hall – Electronic Data Processing Services, that she was allegedly using Lim’s name to scare them into giving in to her demands. (Leonard Postrado)

Manila Celebrates 112th Philippine Independence

Manila Celebrates 112^th Philippine Independence

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim will lead city officials in celebrating the 112th Independence Day celebration tomorrow, June 12, Saturday at the Pambansang Bantayog ni Dr. Jose P. Rizal ( Rizal Monument ) in Luneta.

The Mayor will raise the Philippine flag at 7a,m along with city officials and employees at  the Mauseleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion at the Manila North Cemetery .

The theme for this year’s Independence Day celebration is ” KALAYAAN, Tagumpay Ng Bayan”.

In 2009, the Mayor honored the war heroes and veterans at the North Cemetery .

The Mayor urged all Filipinos to join the celebration as we have once again succeeded in exercising our freedom and democracy during the successful May 10, 2010 first automated elections.

A whole-day jobs fair will be held at the Lagoon area of the Rizal Park and in the afternoon, President Arroyo will deliver her last Kalayaan address to the nation to be followed by a civic military parade of 10 floats representing her 10-point agenda and the 11th float called Inang Bayan which will feature the successful Filipino achievers here and abroad.

So as not to inconvenience the public and the motorists, the City of Manila has released its rerouting plan for major roads leading to the Independence Day rites on Saturday, June 12, at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta.

Traffic will be rerouted from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the entire stretch of Roxas Boulevard north and southbound lanes from Katigbak to TM Kalaw.

All vehicles traveling southward from Delpan Bridge Pier Zone shall turn left at P. Burgos right Ma. Orosa to their destination.

All vehicles traveling northward along Roxas Boulevard shall turn right at TM Kalaw to their destination.

Vehicles coming from McArthur, Jones and Quezon Bridges shall take the road leading to Round Table, Ma. Orosa to their destination.

All cargo trucks traveling Osmeña Highway shall turn to President Quirino Avenue, straight to Nagtahan, AH Lacson, Yuseco Street crossing Jose Abad Santos straight to Raxabago, Capulong to their destinations and vice versa.

Routes to be closed during the civic military parade from 12 noon onwards are: the entire stretch of Roxas Blvd. and Bonifacio Drive north and southbound from Anda Circle to President Quirino; the entire stretch of P. Burgos east and west bound from Roxas Blvd. to Ma. Orosa; the entire stretch of TM Kalaw east and west bound from Roxas blvd to MH del Pilar; Finance Road to Taft Avenue; Lagusnilad and P. Burgos.

LIM GETS DONATION OF FLAGS FROM CFBCI

 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim  received on Thursday 100 pieces of Philippine flags from the Chinese-Filipino Business Club Inc. (CFBCI) headed by  its president Lino Uy during their courtesy call at the Bulwagang Villegas Thursday morning.

Last month, the city of Manila observed the ceremonial cremation of flags during the National Flag Day as a final honor to the old flags and the ashes were stored in an urn that was buried under ground.  A marker was also placed above the burial ground for the flags.

About 400 damaged flags were collected from the different barangay halls, plazas and police outposts in the city.

Mayor Lim said the donation is timely as the country celebrates this Saturday the 112th Independence Day. The donated flags will be turned over to the different city schools.

Mayor Lim also stressed that the flag is a concrete symbol of the country’s freedom and democracy.

Joining the CFBCI President in the ceremonial donation were CFBCI Vice-President Lao Giok Chiao, Immediate Past President Siy Yap Chua and Director Stephen Sia.

LIM INSPECTS CCM ANNEX IN ESCOLTA

Following a complaint of a concerned student who wrote him about the sorry state of the City College of Manila annex building in Escolta, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim took with him key officials of the city to conduct an ocular inspection of the toilets and other facilities to ensure that they are kept in tip top shape for a better learning environment to students.

Lim brought with him Secretary to the Mayor, Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas, Chief of Staff Ricardo de Guzman, City Engineer Armando Andres, City Electrician Engr. Ernesto Cuyugan, City Health Officer, Dr. Marie Lorraine Sanchez and CCM’s Dean of Business Administration Elena Cernias.

A concerned student wrote the Mayor and submitted photos of the dilapidated and unhygienic state of the comfort rooms, which prompted the Mayor to immediately go to the site himself right after the department heads and chiefs of offices (DEHECHO) meeting Monday morning.

In a dialogue that followed the inspection, Lim invited all the female students to Dean Cernias’ office and ordered them to use, for the meantime, the toilet of the dean, for emergency purposes, until such time that restoration work is completed within two weeks. He also asked his Secretary, Garayblas, concurrent president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, to check the conditions of all the toilets in the university.

This CCM building in Escolta, originally belonging to the Philippine National Bank, was built in 1995 and when the city took over it was converted into a school for poor but average students. The Mayor plans to rehabilitate the facilities of the school,  but the first priority must be the comfort rooms. 

During his meeting with the students, Lim recalled some success stories of former students who graduated at City College of Manila such as one who graduated cum laude in Criminology and placed 9th in the board. Another is lady who now works in a multinational company and tied the knot with a Singaporean businessman. Now she is supporting her parents and younger siblings in their studies. 

The lesson here is to study, study and study so that you will achieve your lofty goals in life. As the saying goes success comes with perseverance and hard work. “Kaya lahat kayo pagbutihan ninyo ang pag-aaral, there is time for everything. Your time now is to study hard,” he said.

MANILA’S REPLY ON CHEESEBURGER ISSUE: ALL IS PROPERLY DOCUMENTED

In what is clearly being used as an election issue against incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim on the purchase of cheeseburgers in August 2009 for a Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) conference of the National Capital Region, Lim asked his rivals to just refer to the documents on said purchase. “Everything is properly documented so they should just use the figures stated in the documents instead of fabricating their own in terms of the number and value of burgers purchased for said event,” Lim said. Also, Manila Barangay Bureau (MMB) chief Atty. Analyn Marcelo-Buan said the burgers were bought and given to the members and attendees of the launching and oath taking ceremonies of the BPAT-NCR last August 27, 2009 at the Rizal Football Stadium.   The clarification is being issued in view of a column in one of the tabloids last March 23, 2010 alleging that it was an anomalous purchase.   The issue is also being used against Mayor Lim by his political rival former Mayor Joselito Atienza Jr., and Atty. Rey Bagatsing, with the latter filing a case in the Ombudsman against Mayor Lim and other city officials.   Bagatsing alleged there was no event that happened to justify the purchase of 5,500 cheeseburgers from Angel’s Burger.   Buan, in a letter said that the event  was held last August 27, 2009, a project spearheaded by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) at Rizal Memorial Coliseum at Vito Cruz Manila.   “It was attended by various government agencies and NGO’s which include the BPAT composed of barangay tanods, Security Guards, Brgy Chairmen, Council of Elders, among others,” Buan stated.   “Considering that all 896 barangays of Manila were involved, MMB was requested by Manila Police District (MPD) to coordinate said event,” she explained.   “Gen. (Rodolfo) Magtibay, MPD chief requested for logistic support from the Office of the Mayor and the Mayor even approved the snacks of cheeseburgers for 25,000 people,” Buan explained.   She said the Mayor and DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Congresswoman Naida Angping attended the event.   She said there were two orders placed with Angel’s Burger which then had a promol offer of “Buy one Take one.”.The first order was for 5,000 and the second for 2,500 or total of 7,500 orders but at the promo this meant 15,000 burgers, again contrary to the 5,500 pieces that Bagatsing alleged.   Each order costs P29.50  (discounted 50 cents from the normal P30) totaling P147,500.00 for the first and P73,750.00 for the second. The grand total was P221,250..   Lim said he did not want to dignify the lies his rivals are spreading.   Other city officials assert that the documents are in place and anybody can look at them to get to the truth.

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.

 

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.