Thursday, February 18, 2010

Mayor Manila: Why Atienza Deserves Another Shot?

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 made for his beloved Maynila has catapulted him as one of the well-accomplished and well-loved leaders in the history of Philippine politics.His notable resume consists of innumerable implemented and completed programs, most of which are meant at improving the lives and welfare of Maynila residents particularly the impoverished ones.As city mayor, Atienza also helped transform Maynila into a tourist magnet once again as part of his drive in beautifying his beloved city.

Maynila residents have seen 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 thought 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 improvement that includes projects on health, knowledge, peace and order, cleanliness and environment, orderliness, livelihood, economic progress, culture and sports. Atienza's mayoralty stint is characterized by radical developments in social and community levels, improved living conditions and government services and facilities, and a more basic 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 to voice his opposition on campaigns and programs that supported contraception or abortion or any sex education programs.It also under this crusade 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 is also naturally soft 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 pledge in empowering women, Atienza founded the Kababaihan ng Maynila, an organization which promotes livelihood program for Maynilas' women. Feeding programs were also launched during former Mayor Manila Lito Atienza's tenure as city mayor. In 1986, he established 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 poor 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 talked about 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 prominent projects as DENR secretary was the strict execution 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 vowed to run after illegal loggers and encouraged local officials to close down open dumpsites within their vicinity.Recently, Atienza embarked on hunting down 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.

Atienza became one of the prominent figures in Philippine politics because of his achievement in serving as the city's mayor for three full terms. Former Mayor Manila launched several programs all of which have significantly helped in the development and improvement of the lives of Maynila folks. Atienza also served as DENR secretary where he achieved success in implementing several environmental programs to protect the country's natural resources.

-Joel Dumayog

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