Lito Atienza 2010: Manila Needs Her Mayor Back

The Manila Elections has become more interesting and intriguing as a lot of political heavyweights have thrown their hats into the battle of becoming the all powerful Mayor of Manila. Among these political heavyweights 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 battling his way back 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 owns 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. Atienza has 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 that has lasted for more than four decades now is a clear demonstration on how the former Mayor of Manila has lived his life as a statesman, serving selflessly for the people.

Atienza’s early 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. Ever since, the former Mayor of Manila had been a tough critic and opponent of the Marcos administration. During the Martial Law, Atienza was jailed 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 uncovered
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 being vocal about his dismay with the Marcos administration, Atienza was voted as Barangay Captain for ten years after serving as a tanod before which allowed him to listen to the voices and reservations of ordinary people more.The former Mayor of Manila was employed later at the Information Office of Manila City Hall with former mayor Ramon Bagatsing and later resigned due to conflict of principles and his work.Atienza would later continue his political career as he seeked for a Parliamentary seat despite having no financial support at all.Instead, Atienza banked 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 ally of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and one of the opposition stalwarts who convinced Cory Aquino to run for president. After Marcos was ousted during the People Power Revolution of 1986, the former Mayor of Manila was appointed to run the National Housing Authority where he promoted affordable housing for teachers and policemen. After a brief career at the NHA as General Manger, Atienza opted to join the 1988 mayoralty race 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 won mayoralty seat and placed his name in history as the only Vice Mayor who got elected as city mayor As the Mayor of Manila. Atienza was popularly known for expressing his strong opposition in the reclamation of the city’s part of Roxas Boulevard/Manila Bay. The former Mayor of Manila transformed and beautified much of the entire city’s old and decaying tourist attractions along with the lives and welfare of the city folks.Atienza also devised major projects which were aimed to benefit the poor, the older citizens, women and children.

After completing a full term as Manila Mayor, Atienza would later serve as the DENR secretary under President Arroyo. As DENR secretary, Atienza spearheaded massive effort to implement 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 went after illegal logging operations in the countryside and
has also closed 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 prominent political figures who joined the Manila elections is former Manila mayor Lito Atienza. Atienza is expected to be 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 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 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 has vowed to continue his crusade against poverty and uplift 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 ensure an 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 spearheading several programs aimed to benefit the city’s poorest residents. These programs include 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 established during Atienza’s tenure as Manila mayor.

Atienza plans 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 also among the main priorities 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 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 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 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 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