BATANG MAYNILA
Mayor Isko Moreno
Before anything else, I would like to express my profound gratitude to all those who have extended their greetings, well wishes, and most of all, prayers on my recent 46th birth anniversary.
The outpouring of love and support from people from all walks of life, specially my beloved fellow Manilans, inspires me all the more to work harder toward my goal of making life a lot better for all the citizens of Manila.
I can only thank them and most of all, God, for the continued guidance He had been providing and the blessing of good health and safety at all times.
Once again, thank you all!! Indeed, God first!!
***
Over the weekend, I was not able to help myself and openly expressed my disgust directed at those who have put up tarpaulins with certain political undertones within the city of Manila.I ordered these propaganda materials removed, not because I have any position on any political issues going around. It’s simply because I don’t want toxic things making matters worse than they already are, for the residents of Manila.
We are in the middle of a pandemic whose length and extent of gravity remain uncertain. The cure for COVID-19 is yet to be found. The people are weary and fearful of their future. So many lives have been abruptly cut while many are still fighting the deadly illness.
Most of us have also been displaced one way or another, specially, economically. Countless businesses have closed down and many people have been suddenly been rendered jobless with no other possible means of income now and at least in the near future. Many are also going hungry.
With all of these happening simultaneously, I just don’t want any more negativity adding to the burden of the already overburdened citizens of Manila.
I simply believe that at times like this, what we need more importantly, is to continue giving hope, spreading love and having empathy and compassion for others.
Of course, I respect all the different views and opinions but there is a time for politics and I don’t think now is the time for that.
The people are going hungry with many already hitting rock-bottom. No amount of posters will help or ease their suffering.
Regardless of the personal beliefs involved, whether pro or against the government or any political issue, I don’t want these kinds of posters plastered in Manila.
We have no need for them because what we want is to help and to be able to provide for the needs of our citizens whose lives have been turned upside down by the pandemic.
I am appealing to those who find time to engage in politicking in these very trying times to spare Manila from their games because we will not get tired of tearing down any posters or tarpaulins that merely create negative thoughts and promote divisiveness.
Our people, as it is, are already suffering from so much toxicity in their hearts and minds. They are so confused and any animosity going around will only contribute to the weariness of their minds, heart, and body.
Besides, these tarpaulins that have no helpful value to the city and our residents and which are being put up anywhere by those behind it, will only serve as eyesores, putting to naught the city government’s painstaking efforts to cleanup and beautify the city so as to make it attractive in the eyes of the locals and those visiting Manila.
We in the city government are preoccupied with engaging our residents in collective efforts to address the health emergency confronting us today and how to survive in one piece.
That is our main focus and we do not intend to deviate from that, until a cure is found for COVID-19.
So again, I appeal to all concerned to please set aside in the meantime differences in political beliefs and leave Manila out of it.
Instead of spending precious money on tarpaulins and posters, we would appreciate it more if the money is used to buy face masks which can then be given away to those who need but cannot afford to buy them.
***
Gaya ng paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, kailangan ko ang tulong ninyong lahat. Walang magmamalasakit sa Maynila kundi tayo ding mga Batang Maynila. Manila, God first!***
For updates on latest developments in the city of Manila, please visit my Facebook account – “IskoMoreno Domagoso.”