IN fulfillment of his campaign promise in 2019, Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and Rep. Yul Servo led the ceremonial turnover of the mass housing units for the homeless and renters in Manila, at the newly-constructed Binondominium 1 in Binondo, Manila, on Easter Sunday, despite the rains.
“Pasko ng Pagkabuhay, bagong buhay, bagong bahay. Nangyari dito, mangyayari din sa Marawi at sa buong bansa,” Moreno said, as he acknowledged the presence of his senatorial candidate Samira Gutoc whom he assured that the mass housing projects will be done nationwide when he becomes President of the country.
Also joined by Congressional candidate Atty. Joel Chua and Councilors Tol Zarcal, Jhong Isip, Terence Alibarbar, Fa Fugoso, Maile Atienza and Apple Nieto, Moreno recalled that when he ran for mayor in 2019, he vowed to build a mass housing program that would benefit those who are renters or do not have homes of their own and now that he kept his promise, he asked the recipients to take good care of their new homes so that their next generations can also benefit from it.
“Maraming salamat mga Batang Maynila at sumugal kayo sa isang bata. Ang sinabi ko nuon, ‘wag nyo ko iboto pag di ko kayo napatayuan ng bahay. Pag ako ginawa ninyong mayor, patatayuan ko kayo ng bahay. Kasi, basurero pa lang ako, squatter na kayo. Dinadaanan na lang kayo ng motorcade,” the mayor said.
Moreno thanked Lacuna and the members of the city council, city engineer Armand Andres, city architect Pepito Balmoris, city electrician Engr. Randy Sadac and the construction workers who helped him realize his dream of building a mass housing building that is at par with high-class condo buildings.
The Binondominium 1, just like the Tondominium 1 and 2, also have the same features like elevators, stair nodes, parking lots and other facilities and also measure 42 square meters.
Recounting the days when he himself was a squatter who lived in a makeshift home, Moreno said that during the rainy season, their home would be filled with dippers and tin cans to catch all the drip from their roof.
“Pag naulan, puno ng tabo at panahod ang bahay kasi tagpi-tagpi ang bubong namin. Mapaglaro talaga and tadhana. Akalain ba na ang batang nangarap magka-bahay noon ay magkaroon ngayon ng pagkakataon na makapagbigay ng bahay? Darating din ang oras me totoong tao sa gobyerno. Mangyayari din ito sa Marawi at sa buong bansa,” Moreno said.
“Mahirap magpatunay ang isang kandidatong katulad ko dahil panahon ng halalan. Kayo ang siyang magpapatunay, kayo ang nakaramdam, nakakita at nakasubok na kaya pala, posible pala. Kahit ako minamaliit ng mga elitista na parang sila lang ang may alam sa pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno, hindi ako susuko,” Moreno stressed.
Moreno also assured Manilans that with Lacuna and Servo as the new mayor and vice mayor respectively, all the programs started by the Moreno-Lacuna tandem will continue, specially the benefits that are being given to the senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disability and university students in the form of monthly financial assistance. (Baby Cuevas)
