Mayor Of Manila: Manila Needs Atienza Back

Among the most notable political personalities who joined the Manila elections is former Manila mayor Lito Atienza. Atienza is considered as one of the early frontrunners in the mayoralty race due to his years of experience in public service, political will, wisdom, leadership stature and proven and unblemished track record. Atienza has had an illustrious political career which has spanned for almost four decades now, a clear indication on how he has lived his life as a statesman and public servant. Atienza’s stint as Manila mayor is known for the radical transformation of the city’s old and forgotten tourist areas, and the enhanced living conditions for city folks.

Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza, who holds the record as the only mayor who has served a full term, is one of the well-loved leaders in the city’s rich political history. His resume boasts of having numerous
achievements and completed projects which have benefited a lot of Manilenos.As a way to accomplish his vision of providing the Manilenos with a city that they can call their own, and which they will care for; the former mayor of Manila is embarking on a comeback bid at the mayoralty seat.Atienza will continue to devote his time in serving his beloved city and its residents under his program “Buyahin Nating Muli ang Maynila.”

The former mayor of Manila will continue his battle against poverty and will try to improve the living conditions of the city’s impoverished residents.For him, improving the living conditions of the city’s residents should begin within the ranks of the local government through an effective delivery of basic services.Atienza will push for the improved delivery of basic services especially to Manila’s poorest residents.To achieve his goal, former Manila mayor Lito Atienza has outlined several livelihood and economic projects to improve the living conditions within the city.

As part of his program “Buyahin Nating Muli ang Maynila.”, Atienza plans on improving the delivery of basic services as a way of extending the local government’s help in uplifting the lives of the city folks. Atienza plans on launching several programs aimed to benefit the city’s poorest residents. These programs will cover housing programs, improved healthcare services, enhanced peace and order situation, access to education, sports development, improving the arts and culture, caring for the nature and welfare of the citizens.Some of these projects have already been launched by Atienza during his tenure as Manila mayor.

Atienza vows to continue his affordable housing and land acquisition programs for the poor.With the help of
non-government organizations like Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity, Atienza plans to build affordable houses in the city’s poorest sections including Isla Putting Bato, Parola 1 and 2, and Baseco. Improved healthcare services are among the chief projects of Atienza.Atienza will allocate a huge portion of the city’s budget in the procurement of medical equipment and medicines, and to sustain the city’s free healthcare services including free check ups and medicines.

Atienza also plans to hunt down drug traffickers and syndicates as part of improving the peace and order situation of the city. The former mayor will also utilize a huge portion of the city’s resources into education to sustain the delivery of free education, free school supplies, affordable college education and alternative education that offers vocational and technical courses for all Manilenos. The development of sports, culture and the arts is also among the main priorities of Atienza as a
way of showing the city government’s support to talented residents of Manila. As a former Environment secretary, Atienza will also promote policies which can ensure the protection of nature as well as of the public including the removal of the oil depot in Pandacan. Senior citizens can also take benefit from great discounts and other benefits as part of Atienza’s program dedicated for the welfare of the older citizens of the city.

Former

-Ulysees Ong

Lito Atienza 2010: Why Should You Vote For Him

The Manila Elections is expected to draw the most attention among other election hotspots as a lot of political heavyweights have thrown their hats into the battle of becoming the all powerful Mayor of Manila.Among the popular political personalities who joined the mayoralty race for the city is former Mayor of Manila and DENR Secretary Lito Atienza and his Lito Atienza 2010 platform.Under his banner Lito Atienza 2010, the former Mayor of Manila is gunning for a comeback bid at the mayoralty seat after serving a full term as City Mayor and a brief stint as DENR secretary.

The former Mayor of Manila who is the record-holder as the only mayor who has completed a full term, is one of the most well-loved leaders in the city’s rich political history. Atienza has what it takes to become the new mayor of the city including years of experience in public service, political will, wisdom, leadership stature and
proven and unblemished track record which makes him one of the expected frontrunners in this coming Manila Elections.His resume can speak volumes of achievements and countless completed projects that have benefited the city residents particularly those who are impoverished. His political career which spans for more than four decades now, is clear evidence on how the former Mayor of Manila has lived his life as a statesman, serving selflessly for the people.

Atienza’s early political vocation started in 1968 as the leader of Democratic Youth Movement, (DEYMO) wherein he became one of those who survived the infamous Plaza Miranda bombing during the Liberal Party’s political rally in 1971. Since then, the former Mayor of Manila had been a staunch critic of the Marcos administration. When the country was in the Martial Law, Atienza was detained for his
role as the leader of Metro Manila Jeepney Drivers Organization, which was the first ever organization of Jeepney Drivers. Atienza fought against and exposed several cases of human abuse of the Marcos regime including the proposed abolition of jeepneys plying the avenues of Metro Manila as part of Imelda Marcos’ beautification drive.

Despite exposing his dissatisfaction with the Marcos administration, Atienza became a Barangay Captain for ten years after serving as a tanod before which enabled him to hear the voices of ordinary people more. The former Mayor of Manila later served at the Information Office of Manila City Hall under former mayor Ramon Bagatsing and later resigned due to conflict of principles and his work. Atienza would later start a bold journey as he seek a Parliamentary seat despite having no financial support at all. Instead, Atienza relied on his principles and support from his family and friends which were enough to win him a seat in the
Parliament at that time.

His profession as Parliamentary member of the Batasang Pambansa began in 1984, representing the then large Congressional District of Manila which include the districts of Paco, Pandacan, San Andres Bukid, Sta. Ana, Santa Mesa.He was known as an ally of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and one of the opposition stalwarts who convinced Cory Aquino to run for president. After Marcos was deposed during the People Power Revolution of 1986, the former Mayor of Manila was selected to organize the National Housing Authority where he promoted affordable housing for teachers and policemen. After a short stay as NHA General Manger, Atienza would later join the 1988 mayoralty elections of Manila where he lost to his then rival Mel Lopez who was supported by President Aquino.Despite a losing effort, his spirit and will to serve was never crushed as he would later run and win as Vice-Mayor in 1992 and 1995.

In 1998 Manila Elections, Atienza
finally broke into the mayoralty seat and successfully created history as the only Vice Mayor who got elected as city mayor. Atienza was noted for expressing his strong opposition in the reclamation of the city’s part of Roxas Boulevard/Manila Bay. The former Mayor of Manila was also able to change and has given a face-lift to much of entire city’s former tourist attractions along with the lives and welfare of the city folks. Atienza also started key projects which were intended to benefit the poor, the older citizens, women and children.

After completing his term as Manila Mayor, Atienza was appointed to serve as the DENR secretary under President Arroyo. As DENR secretary, Atienza started massive effort to execute the ill- executed Clean Air Act. Atienza also paid attention on giving a new life to the country’s rivers and lakes, partnering with several environment groups including the Laguna Lake Development Authority and ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan. He has also
ordered the crackdown on illegal logging operations in the countryside and has also ordered the closures of open dumpsites as part of his drive in protecting our country’s natural resources.

Former Mayor of Manila Lito Atienza’s unblemished political stint and achievements are clear testaments to his passion in being a public servant and being a true statesman. Atienza deserves to win the Manila Elections anew due to his outstanding achievements as a public servant and his vast experience and knowledge on being a true statesman who works for the greater good of people. Under his banner Lito Atienza 2010, Atienza hopes to continue his
work for Manila’s folks.

-Joel Dumayog