FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY

College Academic Skills in English

BIGLAIN, Joan L. May 14, 2020

BSN – Section 25 Ms. Hyacinth Hernandez

Mahal kong Maynila

November 21, 2019, Mayor Isko Moreno was declared as the man of the year by
the Manila Times. The reason: The major Manila makeover. We cannot deny the fact that
Isko Moreno is becoming a household name, he is seen and heard everywhere from
televisions, radios, newspapers, to social media, you name it. Many perceived him as an
outstanding mayor, all thanks to his endless efforts of focusing on necessary changes to
transform the city: beautifying Manila, strengthening its economy, and looking after
Manileños through City Ordinance No.8598. Consequently, the local government is
receiving a lot of help and support from numerous organizations and individuals to help
achieve the newly elected alcalde’s dream of restoring Manila’s lost glory. Yes, the
mayor’s intentions were good, however, what many of us failed to realize is that there are
actually a lot of people who are being affected and who are suffering because of his
projects — the marginalized sector of the society. Aside from Isko Moreno’s efforts of
making Manila great again, his ambitions and goals are really not for the benefit of the
Manileños due to the loss of jobs, his counteractive measures in trying to improve the
economy, and the inefficiency of City Ordinance No. 8598.

There are a lot of people saying that the first milestone that their Yorme achieved
is reimposing cleanliness and orderliness in the city. Many praised him after he was able
to clean up the Andres Bonifacio Shrine and other heritage sites in the city. Nevertheless,
cleaning and beautifying Manila is a shallow attack of the administration to show that they
are acting and that they are doing something, and of course, to divert the attention of the
people on greater problems at hand: failing economy and high crime rates. This major
clean-up is also posing adverse effects to Manileños, loss of jobs and loss of place for
recreation. In Bonifacio Shrine where vendors flock, the actor-turned-politician did way
more than just tidying up the heritage site. According to PTV (2019), vendors were also
driven away from their spots; stripping many Manileños of their rights to work and to earn
money. Youngsters also lost a place for their leisure and recreational activities like
skateboarding. In an article published by Ateneo De Manila University, Dr. Czarina
Saloma of IPC (2019) explained that parks are utilized for vitally significant reasons:
people’s need to belong and to socialize; the need for personal development; the need
for livelihood; and the need for a safe, livable environment. Clearly, this is not what’s
happening because what Mayor Moreno did is in no way beneficial to Manila and its
people. As a city mayor, Isko should’ve focus more on dealing with other important things.
Why cleanse and beautify a city that is already dead in many social aspects: failing
economy and high crime rates (Talabong, 2018). He is like an embalmer embalming and
preparing a deceased body for its funeral. Beautiful and clean Manila is worthless if the
people don’t feel safe and secure walking around the streets whether be it daytime or
night-time. From afar, Jones Bridge may be very pleasing to look at; even so, what benefit
does it bring if you’ll be robbed or be taken advantage of sexually while crossing this very
bridge?

In addition to that, the mayor’s advocates applaud him in his aims of reviving
Manila’s economy by luring many business tycoons to build up their businesses in Ecoslta
with a tax exemption for fifteen long years. As per Chiu (2019), Manila is running out of
funds due to the noncompliance with laws, rules, and regulations of the previous
administration. If that is the case, then why would he offer such and let foreign investors
take advantage and earn tons of profit from our own land without compensation? It’s as
if he’s murdering Manila. Redeeming the capital's once-bustling commercial center by
giving these investors tax amnesty, while knowing for a fact that the city’s bread and butter
are the businessmen and tycoons in Manila is such a questionable move. Moreover,
strengthening the economy of Manila does not depend solely on inviting business tycoons
to do business in the capital, but rather in the small entrepreneurs of the city. The city of
Manila is alive if we look at the busy streets of Divisoria and Quiapo alone. Sidewalk
vendors in the mentioned streets reflect the vibrant status of the center island’s economy.
These small businesses play a vital role for not only do they contribute to the local
economy by bringing growth and innovation to the community in which the business is
established, but also because they help stimulate economic growth by providing
employment opportunities to people who may not be employable by larger corporations
(Brown, 2018). For the longest time, Manila survived because of these small
entrepreneurs. Therefore, big businesses are not needed for the capital city to thrive.

The last thing that the Alcalde’s supporters are so happy about is when Isko inked
City Ordinance No. 8598. It is Domagoso’s way of helping the citizens specifically the
elderlies and the PWDs, by requiring each fast food restaurant in Manila to provide
temporary employment to “at least” two senior citizens and one PWD. This might seem
like a very good project at first glance, however, if you try to look at it deeper, it is straight-
up harassment and torture to our fellow Manileños. Senior citizens and PWDs should be
the topmost priorities of our society and it is the government’s duty to look after these
people. Hence, I don’t get why they need to work their fingers to the bone just to be able
to earn money and put good food at their family’s table, considering their condition. Our
elderlies probably just want to rest and look after their grandchildren given that their
bodies are weak. BBC News (2006), reported that there is a correlation between
diminished job performance and age with respect to certain job tasks. For a daughter who
had witnessed her father worked hard during his younger years to still planning on working
past his retirement age just to secure our family’s future is inhumane, even more so when
the government encourages it. Haven’t these people contributed enough to the society
during their younger years? PWDs on the other hand, are more prone to experiencing
discrimination in the workplace because many people think that they are physically
challenged (Reddy, 2016). This would be bad for their health as this will only cause more
trouble and anxiety to them. The protection of both senior citizens and PWDs is the
responsibility of the government. They should be the ones thinking of ways on how to
sustain for these people without them having to work. Increase their pensions, give them
a home where they can live comfortably, and think of long-term benefits when considering
any projects for them.

There was this one time I passed by Kalaw and saw one lady who fainted after policemen
confiscated the goods that she is selling. She has been forbidden and warned multiple
times but still sells on the sidewalk. My heart sank as I watched the heart-breaking scene.
Witnessing such was too much for me and it proved that despite the praises that the
Mayor receives due to his actions — beautifying Manila, strengthening its economy, and
looking after the people of Manila through ordinances — the poor and the marginalized
sector of the society are the ones who are suffering the most from his projects. Why are
we praising someone who’s only new in the position and has yet to prove himself? Why
are we celebrating the new image of Manila if there are people on the sidewalk weeping
in the corner? Why do we choose the blue sky if we benefit more from the color of rust?

References:

Ateneo De Manila University. (2019). Finding green spaces in our cities, for our citizens.
Retreved from https://www.ateneo.edu/ls/ipc/news/features/finding-green- spaces-
our-cities-our-citizens

BBC News. (2006). How ageing affects your abilities. Retrieved from
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/4894256.stm

Brown, M. (2028) How important are small businesses to local economies? Retrieved
fromhttps://smallbusiness.chron.com/important-small-businesses-local-
economies-5251.html

Chiu, P. (2019). Manila has cash deficit of P4.3B, says COA. Retrieved from
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1138942/manila-has-cash-deficit-of-p4-3b-says-coa

PTV. (2019). Bonifacio Shrine cleared of vendors. [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u__9QVCR42M

Reddy, C. (2016). Hiring Disabled Workers – Top 12 Advantages and Disadvantages.

Retrieved from https://content.wisestep.com/hiring-disabled-workers/

Talabong, R. (2018). Is your city safe? Understanding PNP crime statistics. Retrieved
from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/210503-understanding-pnp-crime-
statistics