By Rommel Bong R. Fuertes Jr.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has been working nonstop for the country’s capital since his election on May 19, 2019.
With two years of leadership under his name and nine years as vice mayor from 2007 to 2016, Domagoso has proven to be more than just another face.
The Manila-bred politician has made significant changes for the city since assuming his post. All of them issued for the comfort and satisfaction of the millions in Manila.
Pandemic response
Local Government Units have been tedious in keeping their citizens safe under the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. Manila is no different.
Back in late July last year, Domagoso made sure to have precautionary measures for his people by administering mass testing. The testings were even made inclusive to non-Manilenos as a form of being “good neighbours” to neighboring cities.
“No time to be selfish, we need to care for each other,” Domagoso said.
And care, he did.
With vaccine jabs arriving in the country left and right, LGUs are tasked to inoculate their citizens to achieve ‘herd immunity’. Manila made sure to follow suit as they it record highs of vaccinations.
On June 21, 2021 Manila recorded an all-time high in one-day vaccinations with 27,642 individuals inoculated.
However, the rising cases of inoculated individuals does not mean everybody is gaining confidence with the vaccines. Some people are still against the idea and that’s something the Manila mayor is weary of.
In a statement released by the Manila PIO last month, Domagoso made sure to let his people know that they still have the free will to know what type of vaccine they would receive. Despite complying with the IATF’s request of keeping the vaccines unknown before the inoculations, Domagoso stressed Manilenos still have the right to choose.
“Karapatan ng tao na mamili ng bakunang ituturok sa kanya. Hindi kami mag-a-announce ng brand. Susundin namin ang alituntunin ng DOH/IATF. Ngunit, puwede naman po kayong magtanong sa mismong bakunahan o kaya habang ikaw ay nasa pila. Hindi iyon bawal. Your body. Your choice. Karapatan mo iyan,” Domagoso said.
Protecting Manila and Manilenos
Other than being proactive in the fight against COVID-19, Moreno is taking measures in keeping not just the city, but also the citizens of Manila safe.
In October of last year, the 46-year-old politician signed an ordinance that aims to protect the LGBTQIA+ community from discrimination.
Ordinance No. 8695 or the “Manila LGBTQI Protection Ordinance of 2020” states that any act of discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queers and intersex will result in a fine of P3,000 or imprisonment.
The ordinance is a first in the city of Manila that involves the LGBTQIA+ community and their safety.
In a Facebook Live video after the signing of the bill, Domagoso emphasized his care for all Manilenos.
“Mapapanagot na natin ang mga indibidwal na mababaw ang pang-unawa sa ating mga kapwa batang Maynila. No harm will come to you while I’m mayor of Manila,” Domagoso said.
Preserving the city
Domagoso has also boosted Manila’s aesthetics and environmental aspects as well.
Ordinance No. 8607, a law declaring Arroceros Park as a permanent forest park, was signed by Domagoso in March last year, with the city allocating P1 million pesos for the restoration and beautification of the park.
The ordinance states that cutting trees, dumping waste and excavations will be counted as violations.
Violators will be fined P2,500 on their first offense, P3,500 on their second and P5,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding one year depending on the court’s discretion for the third offense.
Domagoso also gives importance to landmarks such as Manila’s Lagusnilad.
Before Isko’s term as Mayor, the underpass was occasionally vandalized and littered. In Domagoso’s recent act for the city’s improvement, he inaugurated a rehabilitated underpass in August of last year.
Lagusnilad is now filled with murals and photos of the city’s landmarks and is rid of waste and vandalism.
“Here we are today, an underpass undisturbed, no obstruction unlike before. Clean, spacious. Let’s use the underpass properly,” Domagoso said in an interview after the re-opening of the underpass.
While Binondo is the country’s Chinatown, Domagoso is keen on expanding the tourism of the city by building a “Korea Town” in Malate.
In a discussion with Korean Ambassador Kim Inchul, Domagoso said he is ecstatic about building a better relationship with South Korea.
“We are building Korea Town in the Malate area to showcase Korean culture right in the nation’s capital. We also told His Excellency about how we benchmarked Myeong-dong’s markets in Binondo, Manila,” the mayor said.