The Daily Tribune | Written by Pat C. Santos | Mar. 12, 2016

Former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim went on a borrowing spree during his last years in office to fund a number of projects because the city government was already in the brink of financial paralysis back then.

This according to Councilor Bernardito “Bernie” Ang who claimed Lim made the sneaky move to hide from the Manileños the miserable financial standing of the city government.
“May napakalaking utang noon ang Maynila. Figures will not lie naman eh. Ang sinasabi niya (Lim) na may iniwan siyang pera, totoong may iniwan siya pero yun ay mainly restricted funds. Like yung mga SEF fund, yung mga pondo sa special education, those are considered restricted funds. You cannot just use them for any purpose,” Ang said.
The councilor added: “Ang sinasabi natin, magkano iniwan ni Lim sa general fund…yun ang pang-operation ng City Hall. Ang iniwan niya was not even enough to pay for the one-month salary of city hall employees. On top of that, yung mga tubig at kuryente na hindi nabayaran.”
In 2013, at the time of transfer of accountability from former Mayor Lim to then incoming Mayor Joseph Estrada, Manila City Hall was saddled with huge debts. The Commission on Audit reported that Manila City Hall had a debt of P3.533 billion. City hall even also had an unpaid electricity bill of almost P1 billion and P58 million in water bills. Also that year, the Government Service Insurance System and Bureau of Internal Revenue sent collection notices to city hall for unremitted benefits and withholding taxes of the employees from the previous administration.
Ang recalled how Lim resorted to excessive borrowing in order to fund projects, deceiving Manileños with a lie that he was improving the city when, in reality, he was pulling it down with heavy debts.
“Wala ka na ngang pera, gusto mo lang pakita sa mga tao na may ginawa ka kunwari, nagpatayo ka (Lim) ng dalawang hospital na wala namang pera.
So nangutang siya (Lim), at lalo namang lumubog ang city hall, lalong na-bankrupt,” Ang said.
Estrada said: “Parang kailan lang, may kinakaharap akong bayarin na umaabot ng P5.5 billion. That was roughly the sum of our city’s total unpaid obligations in 2013 when I took over as mayor.”
“We needed to implement drastic solutions to put our city back on track, and upgrade its services, infrastructure and facilities as soon as possible. And so the decision was made. Despite the expected outcry and protests, we had to raise our real property taxes…If I may briefly explain, the fact remains that the previous administration refused to raise taxes dahil sa iisang kadahilanan: nagpapa-pogi sa mga botante,” he added.
“Updating land values was a risk I was willing to take. The decision had basis under the law, and provided the most effective solution to our city’s imminent collapse. With the decision in place, I made a promise that before the end of my second year in office, wala nang utang ang Maynila. I have delivered on that promise: Manila is now debt free,” Estrada stressed.
Ang backed Estrada in blaming Lim for the city government’s bankruptcy. Ang chairs the city council’s committee on appropriation since 2010 and sits as the vice chairman of the committee on ways and means. During the 2013 election year, Ang led efforts in the city council to stop Lim from continuously draining the city coffers. Ang and his colleagues scrapped the P191.5-million intelligence fund initially placed under Lim’s discretion in the 2013 budget. The money was instead realigned for the use of public hospitals and for land purchases.

Former President Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada (at podium, top photo) delivers brief remarks at the Community Disaster Management Seminar held earlier today at the Palacio de Maynila. Speaking before the participants – composed mainly of barangay chairmen from Manila’s 896 barangays – His Honor urged them to be responsive leaders especially when disasters and calamities strike, stressing that poor and marginalized Manilenyos bear the brunt of suffering in these situations. In bottom photo, Mayor Erap watches practice drills in proper techniques for putting fires out safely. (Photos by Joel Santos)

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

In the first two months of 2016, the effective partnership between Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada and the Manila Police District (MPD) against illegal drugs has already resulted in the arrest of 324 suspects and the confiscation of almost P10 million worth of illicit substance, thus making a significant step toward attaining a drug-free Manila.
“I am fully committed to getting rid of illegal drugs in Manila. Illegal drugs have no place in our city. I will not stop until the city is completely drug-free,” Erap said, as he issued the stern warning against users, pushers and traffickers of the illegal substance.
“I urge all Manileños to cooperate with the police authorities and barangay officials in reporting leads and suspicious activities in their neighborhood so we will be able to eradicate drugs from our city and save the life and future of our citizens especially the youth,” Estrada added.
Estrada recently led the conduct of the city-wide Anti-Illegal Drugs Summit. In the report presented to the summit by city police officials led by MPD Director Rolando Nana, big strides achieved were cited with the continued collaboration and assistance of the city government especially in terms of beefing up their operational capacities through provision of mobile patrol cars, communication radios and allowances.
Last year, the MPD arrested 1,915 individuals suspected of being drug users and dealers. The District Anti Illegal Drugs (DAID) unit of the MPD and the 11 police stations of the city have conducted a total of 1,396 operations in 2015, resulting to the confiscation of shabu and marijuana with a combined estimated street value of more than P36 Million.
The MPD has also noted that suppression of drug operations could also lead to reduced number of crimes. Of the 274 murder and homicide cases for 2015, at least 32 cases (11.67 percent) were found to have been drug-related.
The two-fold strategy in drug campaign involves supply reduction through arrest of identified top drug traffickers and relentless pursuit of other drug personalities; and demand reduction through strengthened DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) campaign and enhanced cooperation by barangay officials and communities.
Moreover, the MPD is also conducting “internal cleansing” to weed out possible bad elements among their ranks as well as among barangay officials, and ensure that uniformed personnel will not be involved in the illegal drugs racket.
On a larger scope, according to a report by the PNP-National Capital Region Police Office, a total of 888 drug personalities were arrested in the region from January to February 2016.

The Daily Tribune | Written by Pat C. Santos | Mar. 16, 2016

Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada is eyeing for quick, safe and efficient response to disasters and calamities.

Speaking before the participants at the Community Disaster Management Seminar held at the Palacio de Maynila yesterday, he urged them to be responsive leaders, especially when disasters and calamities strike, stressing that poor and marginalized Manileños bear the brunt of suffering in these situations.
As studies showed that Manila is second most at risk from climate change among cities in 197 countries next only to Dhaka, Bangladesh, and among localities categorized as “high-risk” in face of earthquakes, fires and typhoons.
The City of Manila is now training and organizing thousands of Manileños into DRRM Quick Response Groups.
Also, Estrada and these Quick Response Groups are slated to present and demonstrate the use of basic survival tools for ordinary families such as the “go-timba” (recycled containers), sand-in-a-sack and the paracord survival bracelet’ during the mayor’s speech and press conference at ongoing DRRM Training-Seminar series.
“Our target is substantial reduction of disaster risks and losses in lives, so ang focus ay turuan mismo ang mga tao na makaligtas,” Estrada said, as he underscored the importance of preparedness and the need for every Manileño to be taught how to deal with disasters because “lives, above anything else, matter.”
“I am particularly ensuring the needs of the most vulnerable sectors during calamities, such as the poor people, the elderly and the persons with disabilities. We’re talking about human lives here. Manileños should know what to be before, during, and after emergencies, kaya we are exerting all efforts in educating and training them, while at the same time, we continue to strengthen our response capabilities,” he added.
The DRRM series has targeted 10,000 participants, who will thus comprise the initial batches of Quick Response Groups, according to Lanada.
The sets of Training-Seminar series are more of awareness-raising, Lanada stressed, noting that most of the city’s population are poor and have low capacity to cope up with the adverse impacts of disaster.

Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada cuts the ceremonial ribbon at the opening of the new Divisoria Mall on Wednesday, March 16. Joining the mayor are, from left, Divisoria Mall administrator Susan Co, Mrs. Anita Ng, Mariano Nocom, Jack Ng and Festina Holdings chairman George Chua. Mayor Estrada expressed hope that the new mall will provide more jobs to the people of Manila and enhance business in the city. (Photo by Joel Santos)

The Daily Tribune | Written by Pat C. Santos | Mar. 17, 2016

With the threat of rising sea levels, floods and other effects of climate change becoming more imminent, the city government of Manila under Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has begun training Manileños on basic survival techniques, especially on the use of cheap, ordinary objects to endure natural calamities and any kind of emergency.

Estrada said there are many household items that can be used for practical purposes and for surviving an onslaught, compared to pricey tools and gadgets such as fire extinguishers, which cost around P10,000 each.
“You don’t have to spend so much to have a standby set of survival gears. You just have to be resourceful and a little imaginative. When it comes to saving your life and your family, it pays to be ready at all times,”  Estrada told barangay volunteers, community leaders, students and ordinary city residents during the community-based disaster preparedness and first aid seminar held last Tuesday at the Palacio de Maynila in Malate.
“Every Manileño should be taught what to do before, during and after any calamities, long before help arrives because every minute counts during a crisis,” he added.
Estrada, in jest, told the participants to emulate Angus MacGyver, the fictional lead character in the 80’s American action-adventure TV series, a secret agent known for his resourcefulness in solving complex problems by making things out of ordinary objects, along with his ever-present Swiss Army knife.
Led by the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the participants were taught the employment of basic survival tools such as the “go-timba” (plastic water pails or any recycled containers), sand-in-a-sack, paracord survival bracelet, flashlights, cigarette lighters and kitchen knives, among other things.
During the seminar, rescue volunteers conducted a demonstration in putting out a fire by pouring a pail full of sand on it.
The series of disaster seminars targeted 10,000 participants, particularly from low-income families that have low capacity to cope up with the adverse impacts of disaster, according to Maria Isabel Lanada of the Center for Social Concern and Action (Cosca) of the De La Salle University (DLSU) who was tapped by MDRRMO to boost the city’s disaster response and preparedness trainings.
“Each single day is a complete module. Target na volunteers is community-based. Halu-halo — parents, women, students…seniors din kasi sila ‘yung community leaders. So inclusive siya may PWD pa nga,” Lanada said, explaining the seminars are more of awareness-raising.
“Yun ‘yung kakaiba sa atin kasi maraming training nang training pero hindi naiintindihan ng mga tao. Kasi ang target na aabutin paulit-ulit din, mga kapitan, academe, pero ang gusto natin ‘yung mismong simpleng tao maaabot,” she said.
Based on a 2015 study of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila is one of the Asian cities that are highly vulnerable to grave effects of climate change, along with Bangkok, Dhaka, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Kolkata, Mumbai, Shanghai and Yangon.
These cities, ADB said, can suffer sudden devastation from extreme weather phenomena like typhoons.
Former US Vice President-turned-environmentalist Al Gore warned that sea levels in the Philippines are bound to rise faster than in the rest of the world due to global warming.
Speaking at a forum in Manila held by his organization The Climate Reality Project, Al Gore said over 13 million Filipinos may need to be relocated to higher elevations in the near future because of the rising sea levels which is a result of melting ice glaciers.

The Daily Tribune | Written by Pat C. Santos | Mar. 18, 2016

To make the city streets safer, the city government of Manila under Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has installed over 1,000 new lampposts worth P61 million in just a year’s time.

A total of 1,054 street lights were put up from March 14, 2015 to March 14, 2016 along 37 major roads and barangay streets, covering a span of 18.26 kilometers, Estrada said.
“Gusto ko dito ay liwanag, hindi dilim. Masama talaga ‘yang madilim eh. Madilim ay hindi pwede rito. Ngayon po ay medyo maliwanag na po tayo dito at ‘eto po yung dapat nating gawin,” Estrada told residents of Dagupan and Moriones streets in Tondo where he led the ceremonial lighting of 94 new lampposts worth P5.4 million last Wednesday.
Tondo, he said, has a special place in his heart because it’s in this place where he was born and where he also filmed his legendary movie “Asiong Salonga” in 1961.
“Kung ‘di niyo po natatanong si Erap po ay pinanganak rin sa Tondo. Manuguit General Hospital. Siguro ‘yung mga matatanda naalala pa ‘yun pero wala na ‘yun ngayon. Si Erap ay dito isinilang,” Estrada recounted.
“Si Erap ay dito sumikat, dito ko ginampanan ang Asiong Salonga. Kaya malaki ang utang na loob ko dito sa Tondo at mahal ko talaga ang taga-Tondo. Tondo muna ang unahin nating pagandahin bago ang ibang distrito,” he added.
The street lighting project is also in line with the city government’s urban renewal program which is aimed at reviving Manila’s old glory  that included improved landscaping, renovation of historic parks and monuments and more convenient facilities.
Among the city roads covered by the street lighting project are portions of Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, Vito Cruz, Quirino Avenue and United Nations Avenue.
Engineer Lorenzo Alconera, chief of the City Electrical Division, said Estrada wants to prioritize crime-prone areas, dimly-lit barangay streets and places frequented by tourists such as Ermita in the street lighting project.
“Napakaganda ng ginagawang ito ni Mayor. Hindi lang pagpapaganda, para sa security talaga,” Alconera described Estrada’s street lighting initiatives.
As directed by Estrada, the City Electrical Division selected LED bulbs that are more economical but efficient, unlike the power-consuming ones used by the previous administration, Alconera said.
“Ayaw ni  Mayor na ang pailaw ay halu-halo sa kalye. Yung ‘chopsuey,’” the city hall’s chief electrician stressed. “Ayaw niya rin na makulay ang ilaw sa kalye, hindi raw street lights ‘yun. Ang tawag niya ‘dun ‘marshmallow.’”
Such expensive street lights used by the previous administration contributed much to the P613 million in unpaid electricity bills inherited by Estrada when he assumed office in 2013, according to Alconera.
“Ang gusto niya is street light standard. Kahit saang bansa daw siya pumunta ‘yun ang standard: Matataas, street lights talaga. Hindi ‘yung borloloy lang sa kalye,” Alconera added.

Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada (kanan) ang panunumpa ng libu-libong volunteers para sa Lambat Sibat Program na binuo ng Manila Police District (MPD) bilang isa pang bahagi ng krusada nito at ng lokal na pamahalaan kontra kriminalidad sa Maynila. Sa kanyang maikling talumpati, pinuri ni Mayor Erap ang mga volunteers at tinawag na mga bagong bayani dahil sa kahandaang makipag-tulungan para masugpo ang kriminalidad sa kanilang mga komunidad. (Larawan mula kay Joel Santos)

The Daily Tribune | Written by Pat C. Santos | Mar. 22, 2016

Another old market went up in smoke in Manila, killing four persons, even as Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has vowed to pursue with the renovation of public markets considered to be “fire traps” and unsanitary to consumers in the capital city.
Immediately upon learning of the incident, Estrada ordered the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) to provide relief assistance to the affected families, especially to those who perished in the blaze.
The fire broke out at the New Oriental Market located along Carmen Planas Street in Tondo at around 11 p.m. last Sunday and spread to an adjacent commercial-residential building, according to the Manila Fire District.
A woman, identified as Evelyn Veloso, who had rented a stall in the market, and her three children aged 4, 5 and 7, were trapped in their burning room atop the market, MDSW head Dr.  Arnold Pangan confirmed.
“As of now, we’ve been distributing relief goods to those who lost their homes. Mayor Estrada wants to ensure that they are properly taken care of,” Pangan said.
City engineer Robert Bernardo said the residential-commercial building had been classified as “condemned” by the Department of Public Works and Highways many years ago.
Saddened by the death of the four people, Estrada said the incident only justified his plans to rehabilitate the city’s public markets through a joint venture agreement with private developers.
“All of these old public markets are virtual fire traps. It would be devastating if there would be more lives to be lost if we don’t act now and modernize our markets,” Estrada pointed out, stressing that no stall owners and vendors will be displaced by the project.
Under City Ordinance No. 8346 or the Manila Joint Venture Ordinance, several of the city’s 17 public markets will be demolished to pave the way for their rehabilitation through a public-private sector partnership.
Those eyed for immediate rehabilitation are the city-run public markets in Quinta, Sta. Ana, Sampaloc, San Andres, Trabajo, Pritil, Dagonoy and Paco.

The Daily Tribune | Written by Pat C. Santos | Mar. 29, 2016

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada yesterday officially endorsed Sen. Grace Poe for president and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for vice president as he formally kicked off his campaign for re-election through a grand proclamation rally at Liwasang Bonifacio with a show of force of at least 40,000 supporters across all of Manila’s sectors united under his battlecry: “Sulong Maynila!”

Estrada, who is running under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) political party, had previously admitted that he was having a hard time in choosing between United Nationalist Alliance standard-bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay and Poe, who are both close to him.

According to Estrada’s office, the re-electionist mayor is expected to bring the so-called “turnaround votes” for the top two positions having at least four to five million residual supporters, including fans, friends and allies.
Latest surveys show the race for the presidency is very tight as contenders are statistically tied in rankings.
Following the announcement of Estrada of his support for Poe-Marcos, the Galing at Puso camp dismissed the alleged emerging tactical alliance between them.
A news report also came out that the two who have their respective tandems have supposedly struck a tactical alliance that was sealed earlier this month, purportedly through the intercession of Ilocos Gov. Imee Marcos.
Poe’s running mate, Sen. Francis Escudero, however, remained unperturbed as he merely shrugged off the issue.
“I don’t think this is true. They are just trying to create a rift within our camp. But they won’t succeed because of all the tandems, Grace and I have known each other the longest and have been through the most together,” he said.
In further dismissing the issue, Escudero noted his “role” in the visit of Poe to Ilocos Norte sometime last month to campaign for her presidency where supposedly the initial talks to forge a tactical alliance were explored.
“In fact, I was the one who suggested that she go to Ilocos Norte without me so as not to affect her chances of winning in that province, given that my opponent is from there,” he said in a text message to reporters.
Poe’s spokesman, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, claimed the same, denying any truth to the purported alliance with Marcos.
“This piece of information is pure speculation. There is no truth to this. The relationship of Senator Poe and Senator Chiz (Escudero) remains strong and steadfast. They will finish this election shoulder to shoulder, side by side,” he said.
“Those behind this intrigue are out to create a rift between the two senators but they will not succeed,” Gatchalian added.
For Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe, Estrada’s endorsement could trigger more support for Poe.
“It opened the floodgates for other political heavyweights to jump into Poe’s bandwagon which is now slowly but surely making a breakaway,” he stressed.
Batocabe also noted that the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) mobile survey results would show that Poe is pulling away from her closest rivals.
“The latest SWS survey is one clear indication of imminent breakaway from a close race,” he added.
NPC spokesman Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, for his part, said Estrada’s endorsement is a welcome development.
“I am sure that besides his deep ties with FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr.), he has also felt the sincerity and the strength of Senator Poe’s envisionment of uplifting the condition of our country,” he added.
Marcos, during a campaign sortie in Tarlac, meanwhile, claimed that NPC members have been given the liberty to endorse the presidential candidates they want, contrary to NPC president Giorgiddi Aggabao’s earlier statement that the party had chosen to support the Poe-Escudero tandem.
He stressed his godfather, NPC founder Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, told him that the party’s support is not limited to Poe-Escudero as members are given a “free hand” on whom to support come May 9.
Marcos was welcomed by four mayors of Tarlac namely: Benjamin Tesoro of San Manuel, Benito Aquino of Moncada, Miguel Rivilla of Paniqui and Neil Agusin of Camiling.
Tesoro, who is a member of the NPC, said while both of them were “separated by political boundaries” no division could exist in terms of their love for country and personal relations.
“We will allow you to leave with the assurance that our town will be yours,” Tesoro told Marcos after a meeting with the chairmen of the 15 barangays of San Manuel.
Aquino, for his part, said he would endorse Marcos’ vice presidential bid.
“Yes, I will endorse him (Marcos). First, he is an Ilocano; and second, he is very close to us,” he said.
Rivilla, a second cousin of President Aquino, noted that his support for Marcos was a “personal decision.”
“Bongbong Marcos is the son of an Ilocano. We are Ilocanos here in Camiling. Let us help him; let us make Bongbong our Vice President,” Agustin said.
Meanwhile, Estrada also expressed support for the senatorial bids of comebacking Senators Panfilo Lacson, Richard Gordon and Miguel Zubiri; Sen. Sergio “Serge” Osmeña; Manila Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso; Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares; former Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino; Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian; former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority head Joel Villanueva; Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez; former Special Action Force Director Getulio Napeñas; and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Personal na sinaksihan ni Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada ang isinagawang clearing operations sa Divisoria kaninang umaga, na pinangunahan ng iba’t ibang tanggapan ng lokal na pamahalaan. Bago pa man sumapit ang ika-7 ng umaga ay nag-iikot na si Mayor Estrada sa may kahabaan ng Recto Avenue at nakipag-dayalogo pa sa ilang mga vendors upang ipaliwanag na ang clearing ops ay naglalayong siguruhin ang kaayusan sa lansangan, tiyakin ang kaligtasan ng mga mamimili at tanggalin ang mga sagabal sa mabilis na pagdaloy ng trapiko. (Mga larawan ni Joel Santos)

The Daily Tribune | Written by Pat C. Santos | July 21, 2016

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada led 1,000 police and city hall personnel yesterday morning in clearing Divisoria of at least 2,000 illegal vendors and structures that have caused  traffic congestion in the area for years.

Estrada oversaw the dismantling of hundreds of makeshift stalls and other illegal structures along the sidewalks and center islands of Juan Luna Street and adjacent side streets even as he sought the understanding of the vendors that were affected by the operation.

“Wala tayong magagawa, ang daming reklamo ng mga motorista. At ‘yung mga establishments na natatakpan sila,” the mayor pointed out.

While he said it was difficult for him to deprive the vendors of their livelihood, Estrada stressed he has to think of the welfare of the general public; the vendors have been given a 15-day notice to voluntarily vacate the areas not designated for vending.

“Wala tayong magagawa dahil ginagawa natin ang mas nakakabuti sa nakararami. Ihahanap natin sila ng lugar na pwedeng tindahan, hahanap tayo ng paraan,” he assured.

Approximately 2,000 vendors were affected by yesterday morning’s operation, according to City Engineer Roberto Bernardo. The operation covered the streets of Juan Luna, Recto Avenue, Soler, Dapitan and adjacent roads.

The extensive clearing and cleanup of the popular market district has been going on since last week of June after Estrada ordered a citywide cleanup of Manila’s streets. Some 5,000 illegal vendors have been affected by this renewed campaign.

First to be cleared by the city government was the Pedro Gil- Taft Avenue area where some 200 vendors were removed to give way to the free and smooth flow of traffic for motorists and pedestrians.

Estrada stressed “anarchy” in the streets has to stop in order to bring back Manila’s old glory and attract the interests of foreign investors and tourists.

“Ang kalye ay ginawa para sa sasakyan at sa tao, hindi para pagtindahan. Wala tayong magagawa kailangan sumunod sa batas,” he added.

Estrada also took time to talk to the vendors, appealing for understanding. A meat vendor who identified herself as Rufa Quim approached the mayor and asked that she be given a small space for vending.

“Sana, sir, mabigyan niyo ho kami kahit maliit lang na puwesto,” Aling Rufa asked Estrada.
Showing his compassion to the poor, Estrada assured the old vendor she would be given help.

“Gagawa tayo ng paraan para kayo ay makapagtinda. Hindi na kayo makakaabala sa ibang motorista. Pasensya na kayo,” Estrada replied.

“Pinalilista ko nga ‘yung mga pangalan ng mga nawalan ng pwesto. Hayaan mo gagawa tayo ng paraan,” he added.

Estrada also noticed an open drainage along Juan Luna Street that was left uncovered which, he said, is dangerous to both motorists and pedestrians. He ordered Bernardo to immediately cover it up and barricade it.

“Bakuran niyo ‘to, baka may maaksidente dito,” he asked Bernardo.

Earlier, Estrada had ordered Manila’s law enforcement authorities to crush individuals and groups protecting illegal vendors and transport terminals not only in Divisoria but also in the entire city.

He stressed there is no point conducting continuous clearing operations in the city streets if these unscrupulous individuals are left untouched, many of whom he said even use his name and that of the Office of the Mayor in their illegal activities.

President Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Mr. Reghis Romero, chairman RII Builders, seal their signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the Manila Harbor Center Reclamation Project with a warm handshake. The project will see an ultra-modern port city rise in an area that once symbolized the nation’s poverty crisis. On hand to witness the simple signing ceremonies are RII officials (from left): Mr. Red Romero; Engr. Victor Songco; Arch. Nathaniel Romero; and Ms. Olivia Lagman Romero. Also present was Atty. Jose Alberto Flaminiano, CIty Legal Officer, Manila (extreme right). (Photo by Joel Santos)

The Daily Tribune | Written by Pat C. Santos | July 23, 2016

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada sees the completion of the city’s P44.5-million state-of-the-art housing project at Baseco Compound in two to three months’ time even as he expressed his support to President Duterte’s “no relocation, no demolition” policy.

Estrada said his administration has gone to great lengths to provide each informal settler family (ISF) in the capital city with a shelter of its own.
To date, more than 500 ISFs have been relocated to city-managed properties in Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna.

“Maganda nga ‘yung statement ni Pangulong Rody Duterte, no demolition without relocation, ibig sabihin nun, hindi mo pwedeng mapaalis ‘yung mga tao kung walang malilipatan,” Estrada said.

“Here in Manila, no one is and will be left behind; no single family has been removed from their residence without relocation. In fact, we give them their own house and lots,” he pointed out.

Estrada recently visited Sitio Dubai in the impoverished Baseco Compound in Tondo to inspect the ongoing construction of the so-called “Dubai Housing,” a 3.5-hectare housing development project intended for Baseco’s poorest of the poor.

The housing program, which aims to provide permanent settlement to long-time ISFs in Sitio Dubai, is a joint undertaking of the city government and the local people’s organization and other government agencies.

So far, Estrada said he is satisfied with the pace of the construction. Of the 128 targeted housing units, 32 have been completed and are now ready for occupancy. Construction works began last February.

City Engineer Roberto Bernardo said they expect to complete the project in two to three months’ time, barring any hitches.
He added the soon-to-be-completed housing units will be given free to long-time residents of Baseco.

Each Dubai row house has a “green building design” to mitigate the effects of climate change, Bernardo said.

“The house is designed to be energy efficient: maximizing natural light and ventilation. It will also have a rainwater harvesting system and grey water reuse system,” Bernardo said, adding, “it is important for buildings and shelters to be energy efficient to lessen carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere.

“The rainwater collection and grey water reuse system will enable the beneficiary families to collect the water and use it for sanitation, thus significantly reducing expenses on water bills,” he added.

With the “green” housing units, Bernardo said there will also be no more additional expenses on lighting, cooling and sanitation requirements for the poor families.

Since assuming office in 2013, Estrada has awarded 257 families their own lots under his “Land for the Landless” program.

Aside from the Dubai housing project, he also has similar housing projects for city hall employees.

The Daily Tribune | Written by Tribune Wires | July 24, 2016

In a landmark initiative, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has signed a joint-venture agreement with a construction conglomerate for the P7.4-billion expansion of the Manila Harbor Center in Tondo which he said would redound to huge revenues for the city and thousands of jobs for its residents.

Estrada said the multi-billion-peso project will also help solve the perennial problem of congestion in the city’s sea ports, particularly at the Manila North Harbor, or commonly known as North Harbor.

“At no cost to the city government, this project will bring about the much-needed realty and corporate income taxes, and of course, thousands of jobs and business opportunities for the Manileños,” the Manila mayor pointed out, optimistic in the project which “will help provide solutions to a lot of problems in Manila.”

The project entails the reclamation of 50 more hectares of Manila Bay to expand the reclaimed land area of the existing 79-hectare Manila North Harbor Centre which is operated by Harbor Center Port Terminal Inc.

Under the Joint Venture Agreement 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.

“Imagine the thousands of jobs it can generate once it is completed and has become fully operational,” Estrada stressed.

Reghis Romero, chairman of R-II Builders, said the 50 hectares to be reclaimed are at the westernmost end of the Manila North Harbor Center. Phases 1 and 2 of the reclamation and construction works will be completed in two-and-a-half years.

He pointed out the port’s expansion is badly needed to make the operation of the Port of Manila at par with international standards.

“Because of progress, bigger cargo vessels are now being used, from 20,000 to 30,000 metric tons and now up to 60,000 to 70,000 metric tons. These vessels need a draft of at least 15 meters but, sadly, Philippine ports can only handle up to 12,” Romero explained.

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

Anticipating the opposition of environmental groups, Romero assured they have taken careful considerations of the water level in Manila so as to prevent flooding.

The Daily Tribune | Written by Tribune Wires | July 25, 2016

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada is launching a “comprehensive and community-based” drug-rehabilitation program in Manila’s 896 barangays amid the growing number of surrendering drug users.

Estrada said the “out-patient” program, dubbed “Sagip Buhay, Sagip Pangarap,” will complement the city’s hard-hitting anti-drug operations that have so far resulted in the surrender of about 7,000 individuals and the deaths of 47 suspects during armed operations.

“We are happy with the successful campaign to go after drug pushers, but the biggest challenge is fighting the problem of drug addiction itself. We cannot win the war against drugs if we don’t treat the drug users,” Estrada said.

“Addiction is a complex but treatable disease…It is very important for people afflicted with drug addiction to have quick access to treatment,” the Manila mayor pointed out as he ordered the Manila Police District (MPD) to continue its law enforcement operations against drugs.

Estrada admitted the city government does not have sufficient facility to accommodate the thousands of drug suspects who have surrendered under the “Oplan Tokhang” of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

He said the city government is building a 100-bed drug rehabilitation center at city government-owned Boys’ Town but it may be completed next year yet.

“What we need is a rehabilitation program that can be implemented immediately as the number of drug users surrender by the thousands,” Estrada said.

In Manila, a total of 3,160 drug users and 595 pushers had surrendered to MPD as of July 10.  This has more than doubled in the succeeding days, according to MPD director Joel Coronel.

Estrada said the  proposed Sagip Buhay, Sagip Pangarap program will establish “multi-option modes of quality, efficient, professional and comprehensive” rehabilitation services in each of the 896 barangays of Manila to enable drug users to achieve complete recovery.

“This program brings rehabilitation direct to the community or barangay,” he pointed out as he stressed the major role of barangay officials in this program.

With this community-based treatment, Estrada explained the barangays will be able to monitor the progress of the patients who will each be given specific kind of treatment depending on his or her needs.

“Since the program is barangay-based, there will be more rehab centers to accommodate the growing number of patients all at the same time,” said Estrada’s daughter Jerika Ejercito, who heads the non-government organization Initiatives for Life and Action for Women (ILAW).

“The practical way to treat drug dependents in great numbers all at once is to do an in-house or residential set-up. The next phases of treatment and rehabilitation may be done on an out-patient basis,” Ejercito said.

Ejercito, who heads the barangay rehabilitation treatment programs, said barangay personnel to be involved in the program will undergo continuous trainings and seminars to be handled by the Manila Anti-Drug Abuse Council, the Manila mayor further said. They will be backed by health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, nurses and paramedics, among others.

The rehabilitation program for Manila’s drug users is on top of the planned expansion of the city-owned Manila Boystown Complex in Marikina City where drug abuse patients are presently being brought to undergo rehabilitation.

The Daily Tribune | Written by Pat C. Santos | July 26, 2016

Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada expects to open next month the soon-to-be completed Quinta Public Market in Quiapo, which is undergoing a full renovation complete with a modernized fish port.

Estrada conducted an ocular inspection of the marketplace and said he was satisfied by the pace of the renovation works; city engineers reported that the two-story building is already 97 percent complete.

“I am very happy to see the progress of the construction. Public markets in Manila should be like this — modern and clean, like a shopping mall, for the convenience of both the marketgoers and vendors,” the mayor said.

The original stallholders and vendors, who were earlier relocated to temporary selling areas to give way to the renovation, will be returned to their respective spots, Estrada assured.

Located in Carlos Palanca Street near the Pasig River, Quinta Market has been a famous landmark in Quiapo but its dilapidated state prompted the city government to have it renovated and modernized.

When completed, it would be the fifth public market in the city to be renovated under Estrada’s market modernization program. Last April, he opened the rehabilitated public markets in Sampaloc, Sta. Ana, San Andres and Trabajo.

The city government did not spend a single centavo in these undertakings because these are all under a joint venture agreement with private developers.

Estrada is optimistic the modernized Quinta Market will boost trade in Quiapo, especially with the completion of a nearby ferry terminal that will attract traders and consumers from Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The fish port, he said, will service fish traders and barges from various locations, especially Navotas, who will be bringing in fresh produce.

The fish port is part of the P90-million renovation works being undertaken by Marketlife Management and Leasing Corp.

Similar to the four previously renovated markets, Quinta Market will have modern wet and dry sections and stalls, elegant restrooms, a food court, security cameras and even free Wi-Fi connections, according to city engineer Roberto Bernardo.

The Daily Tribune | Written by Tribune Wires | July 27, 2016

In a determined effort to decongest traffic in Manila, Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada led another road clearing operations yesterday morning, this time along the traffic-plagued stretch of Blumentritt Road.

At least 600 illegal vendors were driven away as hundreds of city hall personnel and policemen, personally directed by Estrada, cleared the portion of Blumentritt from Rizal Avenue to Aurora Boulevard.

“We’ve been lenient with them,” Estrada said of the illegal vendors. “Pero nakakasagabal na talaga sa mga motorista, e.”

The Blumentritt raid came less than a week after Estrada led an extensive clearing operation in Divisoria where 2,000 illegal vendors were driven away and hundreds of illegal stalls and other traffic-causing structures were dismantled and taken away.

As he oversaw the dismantling of the vendors’ makeshift stalls, Estrada also admonished several vendors who keep on coming back in Blumentritt, obstructing the free flow of traffic in the area.

“Basta hindi nakakasagabal, pinapayagan ko kayo, para may mapagkitaan, pang hanapbuhay, pero nakakasagabal sa mga motorista, tsaka dyan sa mga nagbabayad ng mga buwis,” he told one of the illegal vendors.

“Kaya dapat maintindihan niyo ‘yun. Inuulit ko ang kalsada ginawa para daanan ng sasakyan hindi para pagtindahan. Naiintindihan niyo ba? Dapat ay maintindihan ninyo. Gusto ko kayong tulungan pero ilagay natin sa ayos,” Estrada added.

Aside from Blumentritt, nearby side streets such as Oroquieta, Felix Huertas, and P. Guevarra were also cleared, according to Che Borromeo, head of Task Force Manila Cleanup.

Borromeo pointed out that vendors are allowed to operate in the side streets of Blumentritt as long as they do not block traffic flow.

“Pinapayagan sila magtinda sa mga side streets, basta sa gilid lang sila at hindi mismong sa gitna ng kalsada,” he explained.

“Mayor Estrada’s instruction is to totally clear Blumentritt of all traffic-causing obstructions. “Walang vendors na maiiwan. Main road talaga ‘tong Blumentritt,” Borromeo added.

The Daily Tribune I Written by: Pat C. Santos I July 28, 2016

Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada yesterday ordered the Manila police and city hall personnel to stop the apprehension of minors for curfew violations and other related city ordinances.

This as Estrada suggested  President Duterte should be the one to order the nationwide implementation of curfew for minors rather than having it separately enforced by each local government unit.

“Supposedly,” Estrada replied when asked if there is a need to continue the implementation of curfew. “Well, basta it would come from the President. When the President orders it, pass it to Congress, that’s it, we have to follow.”

“I believe it should be the President (who will implement it) so it could be nationwide…with the cooperation of the local mayors,” he added.

After being informed of the issuance of a temporary restraining order on curfew in three cities — Manila, Navotas and Quezon City — Estrada ordered the Manila Police District (MPD) and concerned city hall departments to refrain from apprehending minors caught for curfew violations.

He said he is not aware that police actually put curfew violators behind bars as reported by the media.“I have never implemented it,” Estrada said of City Ordinance 8046 that mandates the implementation of curfew in the city even as he ordered MPD director Joel Coronel to stop jailing apprehended minors.

Estrada pointed out the curfew ordinance was approved in 2002 during the incumbency of then Mayor Lito Atienza.

Estrada clarified what they have been doing is rounding up street dwellers, minors included, and turn them over to the city-owned Manila Boystown Complex in Marikina City.

“Maraming batang palaboy-laboy dito sa Maynila, ang daming natutulog sa bangketa,” he said.

The city government has also partnered with various non-government organizations in providing shelter to the homeless or transporting them back to their native provinces, according to Arnold  Pangan, officer-in-charge of the Manila Social Welfare Department.