Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza is one of the hardest working leaders in the rich history of the nation’s capital.His resume includes numerous accomplishments and completed projects, all of which has benefited his beloved Manilenos. The Atienza administration is characterized by the drastic improvement of the lives and welfare of Manila’s poorest residents. A true statesman and a public servant, Atienza is admired and respected by the city’s impoverished residents due to his pro-poor programs and priority projects.
Under his leadership as Manila mayor, Atienza has prioritized the delivery of basic social services to the poor. This is particularly seen in the programs and priority projects that he launched during his term as city mayor.Lito Atienza outlined several flagship programs and priority projects that were all designed to benefit the poor. These projects and programs were catered for almost all social aspects and needs including housing, healthcare,
peace and order, education, sports, arts and culture, nature and environment and welfare of senior citizens.
A lot of homeless and impoverished Manilenos were awarded with free house and lot under Atienza’s housing and land acquisition projects.Lito Atienza together with non-government organizations such ad Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity constructed thousands of houses in the 50-hectare Baseco area, all of which were rightfully given to the homeless city residents.Atienza has also started affordable housing projects for the middle class during his term.The former mayor has founded the Nagtahan Housing and UN Gardens which have provided many homeless middle class families with affordable housing.
To address the healthcare needs of the city residents, Atienza launched Sama sa Masa, a program which provides every barangay with free check ups, free medical services and medicines. Public city hospitals also enjoyed a bigger budget
allocation for the procurement of medical equipment and medicines. During his administration, Manila’s crime rates were at their lowest levels in many years.This is due to Atienza’s massive effort in ridding the entire city of drug traffickers and syndicates, which he believed as the main roots of all crimes in the city.
Public school students have also enjoyed free education and school supplies as part of Atienza’s program for education, which he believes is the answer to poverty. The city’s universities and colleges were also enhanced during his administration and have provided the city’s youth with an affordable college education. Atienza also supported many budding and young athletes of the city by launching the Manila Youth Games, which has helped these young athletes in getting the necessary training and exposure to competition. Atienza also launched free training to children who are talented in the field of music and dance with the assistance of Manila’s
top dancers and singers.Atienza has lobbied for the relocation of the oil depot in Pandacan which he believes is major environment and public safety threat.During the seventies, Atienza established the Mahal Ko si Lolo, Mahal Ko si Lola, a movement wherein senior citizens benefited from special services and discounts.
In this coming Philippine elections, Atienza vows to continue what he has successfully initiated during his term as city mayor. Atienza plans to call for the further improvement of the delivery of basic social services particularly to the city’s poor residents. Moreover, Atienza will remain committed in serving his beloved city and the Manilenos.Atienza vows to fulfill his vision of providing the Manilenos with a city that they can truly call their own and which they will care for.
In this coming Philippine elections, Atienza plans to continue what he has successfully started
during his tenure as city mayor. One of the most accomplished leaders in the rich history of the nation’s capital, Atienza outlined several flagship programs and priority projects that were all designed to benefit the poor. Atienza during his term has prioritized the delivery of basic social services to the poor.
-Ulysees Ong
