Monday, March 8, 2010

Lito Atienza 2010: Manila Needs Her Mayor Back

The Manila Elections has turned into a more interesting and intriguing one as a lot of political heavyweights have thrown their hats into the battle of becoming the all powerful Mayor of Manila. Among these political bigwigs who joined the mayoralty competition 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 boasts of having many 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 spanning for more than four decades now is a clear indication on how the former Mayor of Manila has lived his life as a statesman, serving selflessly for the people.

Atienza began his political career 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 vocal critic of the Marcos administration. When the country was under the Martial Law, Atienza was arrested for his role as the leader of Metro Manila Jeepney Drivers Organization, which was the first ever organization of Jeepney Drivers. Atienza defended the people from the abuses and exposed several human abuses of the Marcos regime including the proposed eradication of jeepneys plying the avenues of Metro Manila as part of Imelda Marcos' beautification drive.

Despite voicing his displeasure with the Marcos administration, Atienza was elected as 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 worked 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 go on board on his political voyage as he seek a Parliamentary seat despite having no financial support at all. Instead, Atienza depended heavily 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 a Parliamentary member of the Batasang Pambansa started in 1984, representing the then vast Congressional District of Manila which include the districts of Paco, Pandacan, San Andres Bukid, Sta. Ana, Santa Mesa. He was known as an active supporter of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and one of the opposition stalwarts who convinced Cory Aquino to run for president. After Marcos was booted during the People Power Revolution of 1986, the former Mayor of Manila was ordered to head 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 the loss, his spirit and will to serve was never defeated as he would later run and win as Vice-Mayor in 1992 and 1995.

In 1998 Manila Elections, Atienza finally made it to the mayoralty seat and history as the only Vice Mayor who got elected as city mayor. Atienza was renowned 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 improve and beautify 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 substantial effort to execute the ill- executed Clean Air Act. Atienza also ventured on breathing a new life to the country's rivers and lakes, as he worked closely with several environment groups including the Laguna Lake Development Authority and ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan.He has also run after 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.

The Manila Elections is vital since the winner would hold power to the nation's capital. Former Mayor of Manila Lito Atienza deserves to win another term as city mayor 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 Lito Atienza 2010 banner, Atienza is the most competent and well-loved leaders of the city which makes him a formidable mayoralty bet.

-Joel Dumayog

Mayor Of Manila And Atienza's Comeback Bid

Among the most distinguished political personalities who joined the Manila elections is former Manila mayor Lito Atienza.Atienza is expected as one of the early favorites 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 boasts of having an illustrious political career which has spanned for almost four decades now, a clear testament on how he has lived his life as a statesman and public servant. Atienza's stint as Manila mayor is best described by a radical transformation of the city's old and forgotten tourist areas, and the improved 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 most revered leaders in the city's rich political history.His resume can speak volumes of achievements and completed projects which have benefited a lot of Manilenos. As a way to fulfill his vision of giving the Manilenos with a city that they can call their own, and which they will care for; the former mayor of Manila is launching a comeback bid at the mayoralty seat. Atienza will be continuing his commitment to serve his beloved city and its residents under his program "Buyahin Nating Muli ang Maynila."

The former mayor of Manila plans to continue his fight against poverty and 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 plans to push for the improved delivery of basic services especially to Manila's poorest residents. To achieve his goal, former Manila mayor Lito Atienza has penciled numerous livelihood and economic projects to uplift the living conditions within the city.

As part of his program "Buyahin Nating Muli ang Maynila.", Atienza vows to improve 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 a wide array of services including 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 started by Atienza during his tenure as Manila mayor.

Atienza will continue to provide affordable housing and land acquisition programs for the poor. With the help of non-government organizations like Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity, Atienza will continue building affordable houses in the city's poorest sections including Isla Putting Bato, Parola 1 and 2, and Baseco. Improved healthcare services are also among the main priorities of Atienza. Atienza will increase the budget allocated for the procurement of medical equipment and medicines, and to sustain the city's free healthcare services including free check ups and medicines.

Atienza will be going after drug traffickers and syndicates as part of improving the peace and order situation of the city.The former mayor will also pour in a big 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 arts will also be one of the key projects of Atienza as a way of as a way of extending the city government's support to the talented and promising residents of Manila. As a former Environment secretary, Atienza will be promoting policies which can ensure the protection of nature as well as of the public including the expulsion of the oil depot in Pandacan.Senior citizens can also enjoy great discounts and other benefits as part of Atienza's program dedicated for the welfare of the older citizens of the city.

An early frontrunner in the coming Manila elections, former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza has pledged several programs which are designed to improve the local government's delivery of basic services. The former mayor of Manila has vowed to continue his crusade against poverty and continues to be committed in uplifting the lives of the city's impoverished residents. Atienza plans to focus on several programs which are designed to improve the delivery of basic services which will benefit the city's poorest residents.

-Ulysees Ong

Friday, March 5, 2010

Mayor Of Manila And Bringing Back The City's Beloved Leader

Among the most notable political personalities who joined the Manila elections is former Manila mayor Lito Atienza. Atienza is expected as one of the early favorites 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's colorful political career 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 characterized by a radical transformation of the city's old and forgotten tourist areas, and the improved living conditions of city folks.

Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza, who owns the record as the only mayor who has served a full term, is one of the most respected and beloved leaders in the city's rich political history. His resume includes volumes of accomplishments and completed projects which have benefited a lot of Manilenos. As a way to fulfill his vision of giving the Manilenos with a city that they can call their own, and which they will care for; the former mayor of Manila is launching 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 must be spearheaded by the local government through an effective delivery of basic services. Atienza will ensure an improved delivery of basic services especially to Manila's poorest residents. To achieve his goal, former Manila mayor Lito Atienza has penciled numerous livelihood and economic projects to uplift the living conditions within the city.

As part of his program "Buyahin Nating Muli ang Maynila.", Atienza vows to improve 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 spearheading 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 started by Atienza during his tenure as Manila mayor.

Atienza will continue to provide affordable housing and land acquisition programs for the poor. With the assistance of non-government organizations like Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity, Atienza will provide more 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 push for a higher budget allocation for the procurement of medical equipment and medicines, and to sustain the city's free healthcare services including free check ups and medicines.

Atienza will also try to hunt down drug traffickers and syndicates as part of improving the peace and order situation of the city. The former mayor will also devote a big 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 arts is also among the key advocacies of Atienza as a way of extending the city government's support to the promising talents of the city.As a former Environment secretary, Atienza also plans to promote policies which can ensure the protection of nature as well as of the public including the relocation 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 mayor of manila Lito Atienza, considered as a favorite in this coming Manila elections; has vowed to continue his dedication and commitment in uplifting the lives of the city's residents. Atienza plans to focus on the local government's delivery of basic services as a way of addressing the poverty incidence in the city. Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza has pledged several programs which are designed to improve the delivery of basic services which will benefit the city's poorest residents.

-Ulysses Ong

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Mayor Manila Lito Atienza: One Of The Best Mayors Ever

As Mayor Manila for almost a decade, Lito Atienza has become one of the major pillars and most influential names of Philippine politics. What he has done for his beloved Maynila has made him one of the well-accomplished and well-loved leaders in the history of Philippine politics. His remarkable resume consists of immeasurable implemented and completed programs, most of which are intended at improving the lives and welfare of Maynila residents particularly the impoverished ones. As city mayor, Atienza also helped convert Maynila into a tourist magnet once again as part of his drive in beautifying his beloved city.

Maynila residents are witnesses on how they were taken good care of former Mayor Manila Lito Atienza through implementation of various programs under his flagship project Buhayin and Maynila.This program was mistakenly considered as a beautification drive which is meant only to transform and revive the city's areas as par of the urban renewal project.On the contrary, the project encompasses all aspects of social development that includes projects on health, knowledge, peace and order, cleanliness and environment, orderliness, livelihood, economic progress, culture and sports.Atienza's mayoralty stretch is best described by drastic developments in social and community levels, improved living conditions and government services and facilities, and a more simplified bureaucratic agency of the city government of Manila.

Being a devout catholic and head of the Pro-Life Philippines, former Mayor Manila Lito Atienza launched Pro-Life programs which has strongly opposed campaigns and programs that supported contraception or abortion or any sex education programs. It also under this campaign that Atienza supported the Rachel's' Support Group, a group of volunteers who have suffered post abortion syndrome and the organization that created the "Tomb of the Unborn" wherein aborted babies are given decent burial and prayers. The former Mayor Manila always had this natural soft spot for Maynila's elderly and this was evident as he launched the program called Mahal Ko Si Lolo, Mahal Ko Si Lola.This program provided livelihood trainings for the elderly and has helped them enjoy the prime of their lives.

As part of his commitment in empowering women, Atienza founded the Kababaihan ng Maynila, an organization which promotes livelihood program for Maynilas' women. Feeding programs were also created during former Mayor Manila Lito Atienza's term as city mayor. In 1986, he created PAGKAIN Foundation or Pagkakaisa sa Kaginhawahan at Adhikain which provided feeding programs, food subsidies and promotion of awareness on wellness, nutrition and health care to city's poorest residents.Atienza has also built the Home for the Angels, a center that provides child care to abandoned and abused infants.

His significant tenure as Mayor Manila has catapulted him into great reputation in Philippine politics.As his last term was nearing its end, a lot of people have expressed their opinions on whether he will seek for a higher position or finally exit the tumultuous world of Philippine politics.Atienza recognized for his achievement in Maynila, was appointed secretary of DENR where he brought his leadership and political will in the agency. Atienza would later sponsor a number of projects all of which were intended to protect and manage our natural resources.

Among his notable projects as DENR secretary was the strict implementation of the Clean Air Act as part of his efforts in cleaning the air. Atienza also worked closely with environment groups such as the Laguna Lake Development Authority and ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan in caring our country's rivers and lakes. The former Mayor Manila also launched a major crackdown on illegal loggers and encouraged local officials to close down open dumpsites within their vicinity. Recently, Atienza launched a crackdown on farmers who open burn their farm wastes like rice stalks, grasses and other agricultural wastes. Atienza has also planned the implementation of LPG as the main fuel of public buses plying the metro's thoroughfares.

One of the most prominent figures in Philippine politics is former Mayor Manila Lito Atienza. Atienza has served the people of Maynila well as evident in the programs he has launched and implemented, all of which have significantly helped in the development and improvement of the lives of Manila folks. After serving a three-year full term as city mayor, Atienza also served as DENR secretary where he achieved success in implementing several environmental programs to protect the country's natural resources.

-Joel Dumayog

Monday, March 1, 2010

Lito Atienza - Saving Abandoned Children

Lito Atienza is currently a part of the list of prospects who will participate in the elections for Manila mayor. These Manila elections, yet again, would be a test of the aptitude of the discernment of the electorate to pick a candidate who is worthy of the demanding needs of the colorful city. In terms of qualifications, maybe there is no one else who conforms to the post more other than Lito Atienza. And among those who will contend for mayor in the Manila elections, no one probably has assisted more.

In 1992, just as a Vice-Mayor, Lito Atienza constituted with his wife Beng the "Home for the Angels," a child care center for abandoned and abused infants. He produced this out of his downright belief that nobody should feel unwanted. He also acknowledges that some conditions might forcefully break up a parent from his child and this is why he created this shelter for them. The center furnishes sustenance and all the love which these children could ever need.

This center is the paradigm of the good heart of Lito Atienza. This is what electors should be cognizant of during the Manila elections. To a certain sense, we are all children of the city, needing someone like Lito Atienza to guide us in a city in which himself saw burnt to ashes and which he wants to see rise again to elusive prominence. Such efforts should not be blanked out and should be at the centerpiece during the elections for Manila Mayor.

It would be morally upright if voters on the elections for Manila mayor would pick someone who was vocally versus abortion. The principle of Lito Atienza as one of the founders of Home for the Angels has consistently been that abortion is the ultimate child abuse and must be stopped at all costs. The Home of the Angels is a center entailed to be action oriented and attends to as the back up resolution to anti-life challenges. It is a concrete symbolization and generator of hope at the same time for many people.

During these Manila elections, let us not forget that the Home for the Angels has been a logical crisis home for abortion survivors and has helped many neglected, abused and exploited infants ever since it was founded fourteen years ago. It has assisted many victims and potential victims have a new set of lives and all of these is due to the kind heart of Lito Atienza. The elections for Manila mayor would certainly be a half-baked race if it did not include an option such as him. The post of Manila mayor is a position of action conjugated with great hopes.

A total of 301 babies were served and admitted for case management and crisis intervention from year 1996 to the present and a total of 4,371 men, women and teenagers were assisted and referred through crisis intervention by phone and walk-in referrals from 2006 to the present in the center. A total of 356 students and private individuals were attended to and furnished with Respect for Life Orientation while a total of 314 children ages 0-6 years old for Early childhood care and Development were served in alternative Day Care services through the Learn and Play Outreach Program. These are works of a man who surely deserves to succeed in the Manila elections. In the elections for Manila Mayor, these are deeds of a man that should be up there when we use our discernment.

These elections for Manila mayor should be a culmination in the life and career of service of one man. This great man is Lito Atienza. When he set up his center, The Home For The Angels, he had a vision to help all abandoned and neglected children. During these Manila elections, we can actually give him a chance to expand more his vision that no person should be deprived of shelter, sustenance, caring and of love.