310 student beneficiaries from Manila’s public school system received P5,000.00 each in financial support through the local government’s Educational Assistance Program (EAP), with Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada personally handing out the grants to each one of them. Some of the students, with their parents in tow, took the chance to thank His Honor with a happy and traditional “mano po.” (

Daily Tribune | Written by Tribune Wires | Monday, 24 October 2016

To prevent them from becoming victims of abusive towing crews, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” yesterday reminded motorists that private towing companies are barred from operating in the city.

Estrada said his last year’s order to suspend indefinitely the operations of private towing firms in the city still stands and that only those that belong to the city’s Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) are authorized to do so.

“Since March last year, we have stopped all towing activities within Manila. So if a towing truck without MTPB markings would try to get your vehicle, that is illegal. Call the police,” the Manila mayor called on the motorists.

In March last year, after receiving numerous complaints from the public, the city government stopped the operations of RWM and PMA Towing Services Inc., the two privately-owned towing operators previously accredited by the city government.

Estrada said to date he has not authorized any new towing operators to resume operations in the city.

“We have our own tow trucks and personnel and they are under strict orders to assist the motorists in emergencies,” he pointed out.

Only recently, the Manila Police District (MPD) had arrested a driver of a towing truck of PMA Towing and Trucking Services Inc. after forcibly towing at least two trucks in Pandacan, according to MPD director Joel Coronel.

Coronel said they have charged the suspect, Christian Gonzales, 37, with violation of Anti-Carnapping Law, Driving Without License, OR/CR, and license plates, and for operating without business permits.
Gonzales’ two other cohorts escaped.

“Their business permit has been revoked by Mayor Estrada since last May,” Coronel said, surprised that the PMA Towing and Trucking Services is still operating “guerrilla-style” in Manila.

Worse, Coronel said this is the second time a towing truck of the company was apprehended since the prohibition of towing activities in Manila last year.

“Unang una ay ipinagbabawal na ‘yan at marami pong naagrabyado na mga kababayan natin sa Maynila. Dahil sila po ay naniningil ng almost P10,000 bawat towing nila,” he pointed out.

The MPD chief advised motorists to call MPD at 523-83-87 or Patrol 117 if they encounter such private towing trucks within the city.

Club’s new set of officers in simple ceremonies held at NPC headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. The event also coincided with the organization’s 64th anniversary, now under the helm of its president, Paul Gutierrez (2nd from left). (Photo by Joel Santos)

The Manila Bulletin | by Floro Mercene | October 27, 2016

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada promised, when he assumed office the first time he was elected mayor in 2013, that he would bring back Manila’s former glory as the “Pearl of the Orient.”

From a grimy and crime-ridden city when he assumed office, Manila had fallen into ruins, first from the WW II bombings by the Americans to flush out the entrenched Japanese, then from subsequent neglect by various administrations.

Erap tried mightily to bring back the Manila where he was born and grew up, by laying the foundation for its revival. Soon, we would see the city founded by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, sporting a “Green City” image.

Last year, the city elders led by Erap achieved recognition by winning the “No. 1 Most Competitive City” in the Philippines from the Philippine Competitiveness Council. It was a recognition of Manila’s various achievements in infrastructure development, social services, health, education, ease of doing business, and environmental protection, among others.

In 2013, Erap hit the ground running by demolishing the eyesores on Rizal Ave. in Sta. Cruz, in Divisoria in Tondo, and other major streets. He cleaned the Augean stable that is Divisoria, opening the place to vehicular traffic.

He put modern lighting in the dark and dingy areas of Remedios Circle, Mehan Garden, Bonifacio Shrine, Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, Plaza Salamanca, Plaza Morga, Hernandez, La Liga Filipina, Ramon Padilla, Plaza Lacson, Carriedo Foundation Plaza, Plaza Miranda, Plaza Dilao, Plaza Isabel, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, Plaza Sulayman, Rueda, Calderon, and others.

To mitigate flooding, Mayor Estrada lends support to DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, dredging the city’s esteros, the Pasig River, and its tributaries.

His latest pro-environment project is the E-trikes, tricycles that run on electricity, to lessen smoke and noise pollution and ensure better incomes for tricycle drivers.

Next month, Mayor Erap will be fielding the E-trikes in Binondo and Malate as part of the gradual introduction of the environment-friendly, battery-operated tricycles in Manila’s streets.

Together with Ermita, Malate is part of Manila’s tourist belt and is home to big businesses and resort hotels that have been attracting millions of tourists.

Matapos pagbitiwin ang lahat ng traffic enforcers ng Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB), mga barangay officials naman na protektor ng mga illegal terminal ang hahabulin ngayon ni Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

Kaugnay nito ay humingi naman ng pang-unawa si Estrada sa mga Manilenyo at nangakong sa lalong madaling panahon ay mararamdaman na nila ang epekto ng pinaigting niyang kampanya na paluwagin ang trapiko sa lungsod.

“Sila na ang isusunod natin,” ani Estrada sa mga barangay officials na tumatanggap ng suhol sa mga operator ng illegal terminal. “Lahat ng mga ‘yan, tatanggalin natin.”

“Inuunti-unti namin ‘to,” dagdag niya isang araw matapos pagbitiwin ang 690 traffic enforcers ng MTPB.

Ani Estrada, alam niyang may ilang tiwaling mga taga barangay at pulis na kumikita nang malaki sa pagpo-protekta ng mga illegal terminal.

Ito aniya ang dahilan kung bakit nakikipagtulungan siya sa mga lehitimong transport groups tulad ng Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (Fejodap) at ang Pasang Masda.

“Hindi natin tuluyang maaalis ang mga illegal terminals na ito kung ‘di muna natin huhulihin ang mga protektor nila, maging sa pulis o barangay man,” pagdidiin ni Estrada.

“Lilinisin natin lahat ng mga ‘yan,” dagdag pa niya.

Nang tanungin kung kailan mararamdaman ng mga Manilenyo ang epekto ng kayang pinaigting na programa sa trapik, ang sagot ni Estrada: “As soon as possible.”

Sa pagpapabitiw niya sa mga traffic enforcers ng MTPB, inatasan ni Estrada ang 244 miyembro ng Manila Police District-Traffic Enforcement Unit (MPD-TEU) na pansamantala munang magmando ng trapiko sa lungsod.

Ito ay habang sinasanay pa ang bagong batch ng MTPB traffic enforcers na itatalaga sa mga pangunahing kalye ng lungsod sa Enero, ayon kay Estrada.

Complaints of extortion by traffic personnel prompt Manila mayor Joseph Estrada’s dismissal order
By Betheena Kae Unite | Manila Bulletin | Nov. 28, 2016

Manila mayor Joseph Estrada ordered the mass resignation of hundreds of Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) traffic enforcers amid allegations of extortion.

A total of 690 traffic enforcers are affected by the order, which Estrada said was based on numerous complaints from motorists that many MTPB traffic personnel are involved in extortion and other illegal activities.

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Esteada orders the mass resignation of all traffic enforcers even official of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) after receiving complaints from the motorists at Manila City Hall on Monday, November 28, 2016. Estrada said that the enforcers can still re-apply but with stricter and higher standards. Photo by Jansen Romero | Manila Bulletin

“Today, I am issuing an order for all traffic enforcers of the MTPB to step down and turn in their resignation letters. I want all of them out, with no exceptions,” Estrada declared during a press conference Monday, November 28.

He said investigations are already underway. He also assured the public that those found criminally and administratively liable will face the full force of the law.

Estrada also said traffic management operations are temporarily turned over to the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Manila Police District, with help from the barangay volunteers and other auxiliary units, with the MTPB’s reorganization.

But the sacked MTPB personnel may re-apply, provided they meet the new set of stricter qualification standards to be implemented to “weed out misfits and those that have derogatory records.”

The new MTPB recruits will be trained by MPD director, Senior Supt. Joel Coronel.

Estrada’s order coincided with the Manila city government’s launch of its “traffic super body”—an inter-agency group composed of city and barangay officials and leaders and representatives of local transport organizations, parents-teachers associations (PTAs), business groups and other stakeholders.

The traffic super body will oversee the strict implementation of traffic rules in the city and come up with doable solutions to help decongest the city’s main thoroughfares.

The Daily Tribune| Written by: PNA| December 05, 2016

Following President Duterte’s order to fast-track reclamation projects in Manila, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has signed a historic agreement with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and a construction consortium that will pave the way for the P7.4-billion expansion of Tondo’s Manila Harbour Centre.

Estrada yesterday said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) officially seals the partnership of the city government, PRA and R-II Builders Inc. for the multi-billion-peso expansion of the 79-hectare port facility.

It also marks the Duterte administration’s first foray into reclamation as a key component of an infrastructure development framework.

“This MoU is significant because it signals the start of more development projects in our city, with the full support of President Duterte,” Estrada said.

“This means more jobs, economic opportunities, and billions of revenues not only for the Manileños and the City of Manila but also for the entire country.”

Estrada said he is grateful to Duterte for his wholehearted support to various infrastructures such as the Harbour Centre development, one of the more than 80 planned reclamation projects in the country.

“Being a former mayor himself, our President knows what the local governments require to promote development… like here in Manila, we need more land to hasten economic growth, land we do not have, thus we’re pushing reclamation,” Estrada added.

PRA chairman Alberto Agra said the agreement is the first MoU signed under the Duterte administration and the PRA, a government-owned and -controlled corporation that oversees reclamation development in the Philippines.

“Clearly, this is a priority of President Duterte — to bring progress, create more communities, ease traffic, reduce poverty. His general order to everyone in the government is to fast-track development so we can build fast while complying with all the requirements,” Agra said.

“To those who generally oppose reclamation projects in the past, he said “there will be no shortcut” in securing the necessary government permits and clearances before implementing their projects.

“We will never sacrifice when it comes to environment. That’s why we need to secure an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the DENR,” Agra said, aware of the expected opposition of the environmental groups to reclamation projects.

Reghis Romero II, chairman of R-II Builders, recounted that in his recent meeting with Duterte, the Chief Executive had voiced his desire to immediately implement the Manila Harbour Centre project for the full development of the capital city of Manila.

“President Duterte himself said Manila is his primary priority in development. Once Manila is moving everybody is moving,” he said.

He added they hope to secure all the permits, particularly the ECC from the DENR, and the final approval of the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) by January.

“Our next step is to apply for an ECC and by the end of January, we expect PRA or Neda to issue the Notice to Proceed,” he pointed out.

The P7.4-billion project entails the reclamation of 50 more hectares of Manila Bay to expand the reclaimed land area of the existing 79-hectare Manila North Harbour Centre, the country’s biggest international commercial port for bulk and break-bulk cargoes operated by Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc.

Last August, the city council ratified the joint venture agreement (JVA) the city government entered into with R-II Builders Inc. for the subject port expansion.

Under the JVA with R-II Builders Inc., Manila will be appropriated with a 15-hectare portion of the soon-to-be-reclaimed area which the city government is planning to develop as a new industrial complex.

Romero pointed out the port expansion is badly needed to make the operation of the Manila Harbour Centre at par with international standards.

With the expansion of the facility further out to sea, the Harbour Centre will now be able to handle larger vessels, thus reducing the costs of and speeding the process of cargo handling, Romero added.

The increase in Manila Harbour Centre’s capacity will enable it to accommodate 14 to 16 large vessels at a time depending on size, and more than double its current yearly cargo volume of 6.0 million metric tons, Romero said.

The project will also deepen the draft of the port’s berth to four meters, enabling it to accommodate the port calls of large international vessels, he added.

“With everything in place, we’ll be able to complete the construction by the end of 2017 because we’re using the most advanced method of reclamation,” he said.

Politics.com.ph | December 5, 2016

Hiniling muli ni Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada sa mga punong barangay na makiisa sa kampanya ng pamahalaang lungsod laban sa droga.

Kasabay nito ay naglabas ng P32-milyong pondo si Estrada bilang karagdagang pondo ng 102 barangay, ang pinakahuling mga barangay sa Maynila na nabigyan ng supplemental budget ngayong 2016.

“Sa barangay niyo, kilala niyo bawat tao. ‘Pag may nahuli kayong gumagawa ng iligal, lalo na droga, i-report niyo agad para malinis natin agad,” pakiusap ni Estrada sa mga punong barangay.

“Sama-sama tayo dapat, mula mayor’s office, konseho, barangay, lahat. Kailangan na kailangan kayo dito. Magkaisa tayo, ‘yun lang naman ang hiling ko sa inyo,” dagdag pa niya.

Aniya, para naman ito sa ikabubuti ng mga mamamayan.”Kawawa tayo at ang susunod na henerasyon ‘pag hindi natin masugpo ang droga.”

“Tulung-tulong tayo. ‘Wag kayong matakot,” pagdidiin pa ni Estrada.

Kailan lang ay ipinasailalim ni Estrada ang 7,168 opisyal ng barangay sa drug test bilang bahagi pa rin ng kanyang kampanya laban sa droga.

Nitong isang buwan, sinabi ng Manila Police District (MPD) na 16 opisyal ng lungsod at barangay, kabilang na ang pulisya, ang kanilang iniimbestigahan dahil sa umano’y koneksyon ng mga ito sa droga.

Sa 102 punong barangay na naghati-hati sa P32.4 pondong nilabas ni Estrada, tatlo ang nakatanggap ng mahigit P1 milyon.

Ito ay sina Chairman John ng Barangay 295, Zone 28 na nakatanggap ng supplemental budget na P1.06 milyon; Chairman Dick Ching ng Barangay 290, Zone 27, P1.4 milyon; at Chairwoman Lydia Jang ng Barangay 300, Zone 29, na pinakamalaki ang natanggap,P1.7 milyon. Lahat ng mga ito ay sa District 3.

Nitong Nobyembre lang din ay dinagdagan ni Estrada ng P24.05 milyon ang budget ng 38 barangay upang palakasin ang kanilang kahandaan sa kalamidad.

Nitong Setyembre lang ay naglaan ng panibagong P200-milyong pondo si Estrada upang matulungan ang 896 barangay ng lungsod sa pagpapalakas ng kanilang seguridad laban sa terorismo. Ito ay matapos ang pambobomba sa Davao City.

Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada proudly shares the great seal of the city with 2016 Youth Mayor Ferdinand L. Sanchez II of the Manila Science High School, as part of celebrations marking the annual Kabataang Maynila, and Boys and Girls Week nationwide. This year, young students from public and private schools in Manila will be spending time as alter-egos of their official counterparts in City Hall to include department heads and councilors in each of the city’s 6 districts, to provide them a first hand look at how the local government works, thereby giving them a better understanding of what public service truly entails. (Photo by Joel Santos)

Politics.com.ph| December 04, 2016

Sa hangarin na mabigyan ng maayos na pabahay ang libu-libong informal settlers sa Maynila, nakikipagtulungan si Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada sa National Housing Authority (NHA) upang asistihan ang libu-libong informal settler families (ISFs) na naninirahan sa mga tinatawag na danger zones.

Kamakailan lang ay nakipagpulong si Estrada kay NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada upang talakayin ang kanilang gagawing aksyon upang mabigyan ng ayuda ang mga ISFs na naninirahan sa mga riles ng tren, ilog, mga creek, at tambakan ng basura.

“Pinangako ng NHA na bibigyan ng housing assistance ang mga informal settlers, lalo na ‘yung mga naninirahan sa mga tinatawag na danger zones,” ani Estrada.

Ayon pa kay Estrada, magtutulungan ang pamahalaang lungsod at ang NHA upang mabigyan ng mas maayos at ligtas na tahanan ang mga ISFs.

“Ang Maynila ang kapital ng bansa ngunit tayo ay may pinakamaraming informal settlers,” sabi ni Estrada. “Hangarin natin na mabigyan sila ng mas maayos na tahanan dahil karapatan ng bawat tao ang magkaroon ng disenteng matutuluyan.”

“Mga alagang aso nga ‘pag umaaraw at umuulan, sinisilong. Tao pa kaya,” dagdag pa niya.

Tiniyak naman ni Estrada na mahigpit na pinatutupad ng kanyang administrasyon ang “No relocation, No demolition” polisiya ni Pangulong Duterte kaugnay sa mga informal settlers.

Mula noong 2013 ay naialis ni Estrada sa mga danger zones ang 7,403 ISFs at 500 dito ang nai-relocate sa Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna.

Sa ilalim ng kanyang Land for the Landless program, 257 pamilya na ang nabigyan niya ng lote habang 32 pa ang nabigyan ng bahay at lupa sa P44.5-milyong housing project sa Sitio Dubai sa Baseco Compound.

Ayon kay Estrada, halos kalahati ng dami ng informal settlers sa Metro Manila ay nasa Maynila. Umaabot na sa 2.8 milyon (556,526 pamilya) ang informal settlers sa Kamaynilaan noong 2010.

Sa bilang na ito ay 104,000 pamilya ang naninirahan sa mga danger zones, ayon sa Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Sa Maynila, pinakamarami ang ISFs sa 107 barangay na dinadaanan ng malalaking waterways tulad ng Pasig River, San Juan River, Estero de Maypajo, at Estero de Sunog Apog.

Politics.com.ph| December 08, 2016

Umaasa si Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada na maibabalik ng multi-bilyong Solar City project sa Manila Bay ang dating ganda at sigla ng lungsod.

Ayon kay Estrada, malapit nang magsimula ang Solar City reclamation project matapos iutos ni Pangulong Duterte na madaliin na ang konstruksyon ng nasabing bagong tourism, commercial at residential district sa Manila Bay.

Aniya, tinatapos na lang ng pamahalaang lungsod ang pagpo-proseso ng mga kinakailangang dokumento ng Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. (MGDC), ang kumpanyang nakakuha ng kontrata noon pang 1991.

“Makakapagbigay ito ng libu-libong trabaho at negosyo sa mga Manilenyo, bukod pa sa bilyun-bilyong kikitain ng pamahalaang lungsod sa buwis,” ani Estrada.

Taliwas sa sinasabi ng ilan na matatakpan ng Solar City ang sikat na sunset ng Manila Bay, nilinaw ni Estrada na hindi ito mangyayari dahil itatayo ito “perpendicular” sa baybayin ng Manila Bay.

Sa ilalim ng proyekto, tatlong isla na may sukat na 148 ektarya ang itatayo sa Manila Bay kung saan itatayo rin ang maraming business centers, residential at commercial properties, kabilang na ang isang international cruise ship terminal.

Gagamit din ng renewable energy ang Solar City at may makabagong waste management system.

Upang maiwasan ang trapiko, magtatayo ng mga dedicated walkways at monorail system sa loob ng Solar City, at magkakaroon din ng artificial beach.

“This will also be a big boost to our tourism industry, cementing our city’s place in the world map of most favored tourist destinations,” pagdidiin ni Estrada sa kanyang pangakong ibalik ang “old glory” ng Maynila.

Ayon kay Secretary to the Mayor Edward Serapio, nagbigay na ng “verbal go-signal” si Duterte sa naturang proyekto.

“The Manila Goldcoast project is almost near the finish line with issuances of letters of no objection from three different government agencies and area clearances from the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), and verbal go-signal from the Office of the President,” ani Serapio.

Isang maligayang araw ng pagba-balik tanaw sa mahigit limang dekadang pagmamahalan: HAPPY 57TH ANNIVERSARY TO PRES. MAYOR JOSEPH & DRA. LOI ESTRADA!

DAGDAG-ILAW, DAGDAG ASENSO PARA SA MANILENYO! (Pagpapailaw sa Felix Manalo Street (New Panaderos to Posadas St.), at F. Roxas Street, Sta. Ana (District 6)

The Daily Tribune | Written by Pat C. Santos | December 15, 2016

As the entire country remains under Terror Alert Level 3 following the foiled bombing try near the US Embassy, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada yesterday assured the public churches in the city will be under tight guard during the traditional Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo.

Estrada tasked Manila Police District (MPD) director Senior Supt. Joel Coronel to field as many policemen and security units as possible to every parish church, cathedral and basilica in the city which are expected to be filled with parishioners starting at dawn of December 16 until Christmas Eve.

“We won’t let anyone disrupt Misa de Gallo. We won’t allow anyone or anything to destroy the spirit of Christmas. We will ensure the safety and security of every Manileño attending the Masses,” the Manila mayor said.

As he assured the safety of the citizenry, Estrada also called on the city residents to be attentive at all times and report to authorities any suspicious individual or situation they might encounter.

He cited the improvised bomb found along Roxas Boulevard near the US Embassy last November 28 which terrorists could have set off easily if not for the vigilance and quick thinking of a street sweeper who immediately reported it to the police.

“We should remain calm but be vigilant. We need everyone’s cooperation at times like this,” Estrada said.

Police said the improvised explosive device, had it detonated, could have maimed or killed a number of people within a 100-meter radius. It consisted of an 81mm mortar round, cellphone battery and SIM card, a blasting cap and a nine-volt battery, similar to the one used in the September 2 bombing of Davao City that killed 15 people.

Estrada assured the 4,652-strong city police force that the city government is ready to back them up and provide whatever logistical requirements they need to protect the city from criminal and terrorist elements, especially during the Christmas season.

As part of the operational security plan for Simbang Gabi, Coronel said he will assign 10 policemen and one patrol car to every church in the city throughout the nine-day series of Masses.

Manila has 113 churches; 63 are considered as major shrines, basilicas and cathedrals such as Binondo Church, Quiapo Church, San Agustin Church and San Sebastian Church, among other churches.

“So for the Simbang Gabi alone, we will dedicate a total of 1,113 policemen to protect the thousands who will be attending the Masses,” Coronel said.

Aside from the church-detailed policemen, the MPD chief also said every unit of the police force will be on full alert, particularly the MPD’s highly-trained Special Weapons and Tactics.

“As announced by the Chief PNP, we’re on a full alert because of level 3 terrorist alert confirmed by intelligence sources,” Coronel said.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa announced last December 1 that Terror Alert Level 3 was hoisted over the entire country after the foiled Manila bomb plot.

He said the public can expect more stringent checkpoints, random “Oplan Sita” or unannounced searches on motorists and raids on the hideouts of suspected terrorists.

He, however, called on the public to remain calm, saying there is no cause for alarm despite the terror threats in the country.

The Daily Tribune | Written by Tribune Wires Tuesday, 20 December 2016
By Pat C. Santos and Ted Tuvera

Former President and current Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada yesterday strongly warned that the Philippines could became a “narco state” if government officials protecting and working with drug lords are not removed from their posts.

Estrada said drug traffickers and ope-rators of big-time illegal drug laboratories have managed to run their illegal drug trade unhampered in the past decades because government officials in power were protecting them.

“You know, every election, there are candidates – mayors, congressmen, governors, they ask for political donations, campaign funds, from drug lords because these drug lords have the money,” Estrada said during this morning’s distribution of motorcycles to the first batch of Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructors who have been teaching the anti-drug education program to the elementary public school students in Manila and Pasay.

“You know why there are big drug laboratories in the provinces? They are protected by these politicians,” he added.

“This is very dangerous, we may become a narco state if we do not solve this problem early of politicians involved in the drug trade and have links with drug lords. “That is why for the sake of our country, let us unite and support President Duterte for making a great stand against these drug lords,” Estrada added, reiterating his all-support to Duterte’s war against drugs.

In providing motorcycles and P2,000 monthly allowances to 15 DARE officers, Estrada said this will help improve the mobility of the DARE instructors in going to and from different public schools.

“We believe our DARE officers will be able to reach out to more students if they have the means to travel to different schools. It has been our topmost priority to teach DARE lessons to our youngsters so they won’t get influenced by illegal drugs at their young age,” he said.

Estrada serves as chairman of DARE Philippines, Inc., a private non-profit organization that implements DARE not only in Manila but also in the entire country.

Donna Gasgonia, the organization’s executive vice president, said the motorcycles were given to nine policemen from the Manila Police District (MPD) and three from the Pasay City Police.

The 12 policemen were among the first group of PNP personnel who completed the 80-hour DARE Officers Training (DOT) course in September last year when Estrada revived DARE in Manila.

“They can easily go to their school assignments with these motorcycles and transportation allowances,” Gasgonia said.

Originally from the US, DARE is a classroom instruction program that taps active duty police officers to teach Grades 5 and 6 students good decision-making skills to keep them away from drugs and other vices.

Last month, 72 policemen and soldiers graduated from the DOT course. They are members of the MPD, Pasay City police, and from other regional police offices nationwide.

The soldiers are from the Army’s Civil Military Operations Group (CMOG) based in Fort Bonifacio.

Thirty-six more policemen and soldiers finished the DOT course recently.

The new DARE officers were trained by a team of instructors from DARE America, that founded the program in Los Angeles, California, in the early ‘80’s.

The American instructors were invited to Manila by Estrada himself.

Since 1993 when Estrada introduced the program in the country when he was vice president and head of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC), more than 1.5 million students have undergone DARE instructions.

Rody names solon, 2 Mindanao mayors in drug trade

President Duterte yesterday named a lawmaker and two mayors from Mindanao as involved in the illegal drugs trade.

In his speech before the 2016 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO), the President dangled his thick “narco-list” anew and dropped the names of Rep. Vicente Belmonte, Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Mayor Wellie Lim.

Belmonte, former represen-tative of the lone district of Iligan City, was wounded in an ambush in 2014 on his way home from the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.

Manila Standard | by Sandy Araneta | December 19, 2016

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada plans to deploy more undercover inspectors to pin down traffic enforcers of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau who are habitual absentees or are engaged in illegal activities.

Estrada said this is part of the new measures he would implement to sack corrupt and lazy MTPB members. He would apply a “one-strike” policy against MTPB enforcers who are lax in their job.

“The inspectors would be tasked to go around and check if the traffic enforcers are in their posts or committing unlawful actions. This way we could easily identify, gather evidence, and dismiss them,” the mayor said.

On November 28, Estrada fired 690 MTPB members after being swamped with complaints from motorists concerning their alleged extortion activities. They were temporarily replaced by the Manila Police District-Traffic Enforcement Unit (MPD-TEU) and other traffic auxiliary units.

To fill the vacated slots, the Manila Police District is retraining the first batch of 92 new enforcers whom Estrada said will be more disciplined, competent, and incorruptible.

Supt. Lucile Faycho, chief of the MPD-TEU, said the training and refresher course is focused on developing discipline, proper decorum and posture, and physical fitness. They also have classroom lectures about basic road accident investigation, rescue and first aid, and basic self defense techniques.

MTPB chief Dennis Alcoreza said they will be hiring more inspectors to boost the bureau’s Inspectorate Unit.

“Our inspectors have been roaming around checking on the traffic enforcers. We’ve found out that many traffic enforcers have not been reporting to their posts, only reporting during paydays. We list them as ‘missing in action’,” he pointed out.

Alcoreza said the inspectors go around in civilian clothes, sometimes posing as motorists and pedestrians to catch and report unscrupulous traffic enforcers.

“They are not recognized by the MTPB enforcers, they are in civilian clothes, on rotation,” he said, adding that through their reports, they could assess the performance of the traffic personnel.

Manila Standard | by Sandy Araneta | December 19, 2016

Manila Mayor Joseph Erap Estrada recently played Santa Claus to thousands of indigent families in the city as he hosted a whole-day Christmas gift-giving and concert at the Mehan Garden.

This served as the opening salvo of his grand “Pamaskong Handog” to some 100,000 poor families in Manila.

Saying he always had a soft heart for the poor, Estrada said last Friday’s “Pasko sa Lungsod ng Maynila” is especially dedicated to the city’s less privileged residents, “the Filipino masses” that he said have wholeheartedly supported him since he was an actor until he became a public servant. The event started with the traditional “Misa de Gallo” or dawn Mass at 4 a.m.

A feeding program for children and their parents at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo followed the morning Mass, which was conducted in partnership with the Bantay Banta Foundation, said Liz Villasenor, head of the City Tourism Office.

Gift-giving activities were also held in Mehan Garden and other local institutions such as orphanages. The day was capped with a free concert at Mehan Garden, Villasenor added.

Manila Department of Social Welfare head Nanet Tanyag said Estrada has prepared Christmas gifts and food packs consisting of “noche Buena” items such as spaghetti and fruit salad.

About 100,000 indigents—adults, senior citizens, children, and street dwellers—have been targeted to receive the Christmas packs in the coming days, she said.

“It is during Christmas that I get to thank the Manileños, the poor residents, the ones who need the most attention and care, the masses that have supported me all this time,” Estrada said. “I hope that through this simple Christmas gift-giving activity, I was able to express my gratitude to each of them.”

Describing himself as a legitimate Manileño born in the slums of Tondo, Estrada remembered the “Asiong Salonga” character he portrayed in the iconic 1961 movie of the same name, as a defender of the poor and of the oppressed. When he entered politics, he said the masses continued to support him. Sandy Araneta

“This is a tradition of Mayor Estrada. It is his tradition to offer even a little so that our poor countrymen would be able to taste good food,” Tanyag said.

She said the city government will resume distributing Christmas food packs in the 896 barangays in the coming days until New Year’s Eve.

The Philippine Star | By Jose Rodel Clapano | December 28, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s asthma attack had been caused by fatigue, a city hall official said yesterday.

Estrada had been discharged from the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center where he was rushed for pneumonia last week.

His son, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, clarified that the former president was hospitalized due to asthma and not pneumonia.

“Mayor Estrada works from morning until late evening, and it probably caused his asthma,” a doctor at city hall, who asked not to be named, said.

While Estrada has no known history of asthma, the doctor said the mayor’s difficulty of breathing could have been caused by fatigue.

“He is overworked. Most of the time he forgets to rest,” the doctor said.