Manila flag-raising held at Bonifacio monument for the first time

The Manila City government on Monday held its flag-raising ceremony at the Andres Bonifacio monument beside the city hall, the first time it was ever held there.

The flag-raising ceremony was conducted a week after flushing operations were conducted at the monument upon orders by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who wanted the place free from store owners and homeless people.

“Doble tuwa po kami dahil sa unang pagkakataon ay dito po ginawa sa makasaysayan at isa sa mga pinagkakaingatang kayamanan, dito po sa Bonifacio Shrine, gagawin ang ating lingguhang pagtataas ng watawat,” Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna said in a speech.

“Ano ang ipakikita natin sa ating mga anak na mga rebiultong yan ay balewala? Samantalang yan ay itinatag ng Estado, ng pamahalaan upang ipaalala sa darating na panahon, sa mga anak natin, sa mga kabataan, na kapag ika’y gumawa ng kabutihan sa iyong kapwa, ika’y gumawa ng kabutihan sa inyong komunidad, sa iyong bansa at sa pagmamahal mo, ika’y gagantimpalaan kahit na pantay na ang paa mo,” Moreno, for his part, said during the flag ceremony.

“Hindi bagay na itong mga simpleng puwesto, lugar na babuyin at pakinabangan lang ng iilan,” he added.

Moreno also assured local government employees that he will give what is due them, citing in particular allowances that had been withheld in the past, as well as promotions based on a fair system.

“What is due to you will be given to you,” Moreno said.

Moreno ordered the city’s finance department to pay the city government’s obligations to its employees first before paying commercial contracts.

In return, Moreno asked the employees to “always remember we are involved in people-helping-people business.”

Lacuna, on the other hand, reported that the city council is on track with the city government’s priority legislation.

Lacuna mentioned proposed ordinances granting amnesty for business taxes, real property taxes, regulatory fees and other service charges, as well as lowering the real property tax to 20%.

Lacuna also said the city council is discussing proposals to grant senior citizens, persons with disabilities and solo parents a P500 monthly pension, as well as a P1,000 monthly allowance for all qualified students of the Universidad de Manila and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. —KBK, GMA News