Endless thanks to my supporters
Last July 1, I joined the entire officialdom of Manila in observing our first anniversary in City Hall, made unique by the fact that the city, just like the rest of the world, is fighting an unseen enemy – the novel coronavirus.
At this point, let me take the opportunity to thank my very hardworking Vice Mayor, Honey Lacuna, along with the members of the Manila City Council which she heads as their presiding officer, for their unconditional and unwavering support to all the programs I have lined up.
Each time any of my plans entailed the need to pass an ordinance, Vice Mayor Honey and the city councilors readily held sessions, whether it was a holiday or an unholy hour.
I also would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the city officials and employees who have now shown willingness to be part of the positive changes that we in the leadership are introducing, to make Manila once again truly worthy of its tag as the “capital city” of the Philippines.
Thank you, too, to the residents of Manila who, after giving me an overwhelming victory in the last elections, continue to help my administration via their invaluable support and cooperation to all the programs of government. Their display of affection and appreciation for what we do gives me the energy and inspiration to do more.
I cannot imagine not having the backing of any of these people that I mentioned, while putting into action all the plans and dreams I have for my beloved city.
Too, I consider myself very lucky for being surrounded by driven individuals, new and old hands, who share my objective to be the best in their chosen field of endeavor.
The onset of the pandemic also brought out the best in all of us, with our medical frontliners really leading the way in showing heroism by risking their very own safety and inevitably, that of their loved ones, too, to be able to save the lives of people totally unknown to them.
Kudos, too, to our officials and employees who, despite not being classified as “essential,” have voluntarily figured out ways to be useful in the fight against COVID-19.
Many thanks also goes to our barangay and police authorities as well as volunteers who all did their share to help us through by also serving at the frontlines.
To the business establishments that also helped accommodate our frontliners who needed a place to stay in order for them to not endanger their families, we are giving each of them a ₱100,000 tax credit as a small token of our appreciation. I know this is not much but it is a sincere expression of our gratitude.
My special, heartfelt thanks also goes to the countless donors, both here and abroad who, from the very start of our administration, have been giving whatever they can share to help the city government get back up on its feet and probably out of pity, knowing that we have been bequeathed with a bankrupt government.
It is but touching that even those who are underprivileged contribute their hard-earned money just to be able to do their share in extending help.
We do appreciate very deeply all kinds of help that come in, whether monetary or in kind, especially while we were at the height of the community quarantine and the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Last and definitely not the least,
I am thanking our national government, particularly
President Rodrigo Roa DuterteandHealth SecretaryFrancisco Duque III, for their all-out support to our city government, specially when it comes to our anti-COVID-19 efforts.
We in Manila, particularly owe it to them that we now have our own testing laboratory for COVID-19, as we are building two more. This definitely could not have been made possible without their support and full backing.
To all of the people I have mentioned, I share with them all the successes so far reaped by my administration and I know I just cannot thank them enough.
I can only pray that the good Lord heap upon all of us the blessings of perfect health, happiness, and a trouble-free life so that we may all continue to be of service to others, especially Manilans.
My wish is that they all continue to be with me and the city government as we face another year of challenges in a city of two million people, more or less. I will be needing all the help I can possibly get. No man is an island.
***
Gaya ng paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, kailangan ko ang tulong ninyong lahat. Walang magmamalasakit sa Maynila kundi tayo ding mga Batang Maynila. Manila, God first!
***
For updates on latest developments in the city of Manila, please visit my Facebook account – “Isko Moreno Domagoso.”