Lito Atienza During His Days As City Mayors

Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza is one of the most accomplished leaders in the rich history of the nation's capital. His resume can speak of volumes of 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 well-regarded by the city's impoverished residents due to his pro-poor programs and priority projects.

Under his leadership as Manila mayor, Atienza has given priority to 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 launched numerous flagship programs and priority projects that were all dedicated for the benefit of the poor. These projects and programs covered 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 benefited from Atienza's housing and land acquisition projects. Lito Atienza together with non-government organizations such as Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity have built thousands of houses in the 50-hectare Baseco area, all of which were rightfully awarded 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 meet the healthcare needs of the city residents, Atienza started Sama sa Masa, a program which provides every barangay with free check ups, free medical services and medicines.Public city hospitals also took benefit from a bigger budget allocation for the procurement of medical equipment and medicines. During his administration, Manila has experienced the lowest crime rates in years. This is due to Atienza's massive effort in putting into justice the city's drug traffickers and syndicates, which he believed as the main roots of all crimes in the city.

Public school students have also benefited from 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 improved during his administration and have benefited the city's youth with an affordable college education. Atienza has also extended his support to 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 called for the immediate relocation of the oil depot in Pandacan which he believes is major environment and public safety threat. During the seventies, Atienza founded the Mahal Ko si Lolo, Mahal Ko si Lola movement wherein senior citizens benefited from special services and discounts.

In this coming Philippine elections, Atienza will continue what he has successfully started during his administration.Atienza will continue improving 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 accomplish his goal 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

Lito Atienza 2010: Why Should You Vote For Him

The Manila Elections has become more exciting and captivating as a lot of political heavyweights have thrown their hats into the battle of becoming the all powerful Mayor of Manila. Among these political heavyweights who joined the mayoralty battle for the city is former Mayor of Manila and DENR Secretary Lito Atienza and his Lito Atienza 2010 platform.Under his banner Lito Atienza 2010, the former Mayor of Manila is starting for a comeback bid at the mayoralty seat after serving a full term as City Mayor and a brief stint as DENR secretary.

The former Mayor of Manila who holds the record as the only mayor who has served a full term, is one of the most well-cherished leaders in the city's rich political history.Atienza has years of experience in public service, political will, wisdom, leadership stature and proven and unblemished track record which makes him one of the expected frontrunners in this coming Manila Elections. His resume can present volumes of achievements and innumerable completed projects that have benefited the city residents particularly those who are impoverished. His political career spanning for more than four decades now is a clear testimony on how the former Mayor of Manila has lived his life as a statesman, serving selflessly for the people.

Atienza's early political career started in 1968 as the leader of Democratic Youth Movement, (DEYMO) wherein he became one of those who survived the infamous Plaza Miranda bombing during the Liberal Party's political rally in 1971. Since then, the former Mayor of Manila had been a vocal critic of the Marcos administration. When the country was under the Martial Law, Atienza was arrested for his role as the leader of Metro Manila Jeepney Drivers Organization, which was the first ever organization of Jeepney Drivers. Atienza fought against and exposed several human abuses of the Marcos regime including the proposed eradication of jeepneys plying the avenues of Metro Manila as part of Imelda Marcos' beautification drive.

Despite airing his discontent with the Marcos administration, Atienza held the position as Barangay Captain for ten years after serving as a tanod before which enabled him to hear the voices of ordinary people more. The former Mayor of Manila later served as at the Information Office of Manila City Hall under former mayor Ramon Bagatsing and later resigned due to conflict of principles and his work. Atienza would later decide on embarking on a bold journey as he seek a Parliamentary seat despite having no financial support at all.Instead, Atienza depended heavily on his principles and support from his family and friends which were enough to win him a seat in the Parliament at that time.

His profession as a Parliamentary member of the Batasang Pambansa started in 1984, representing the then vast Congressional District of Manila which include the districts of Paco, Pandacan, San Andres Bukid, Sta. Ana, Santa Mesa. He was known as an active supporter of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and one of the opposition stalwarts who convinced Cory Aquino to run for president. After Marcos was deposed during the People Power Revolution of 1986, the former Mayor of Manila was selected to organize the National Housing Authority where he promoted affordable housing for teachers and policemen. After a brief tenure as the NHA General Manger, Atienza decided to join the 1988 mayoralty race of Manila where he lost to his then rival Mel Lopez who was supported by President Aquino. Despite the loss, his spirit and will to serve was never defeated as he would later run and win as Vice-Mayor in 1992 and 1995.

In 1998 Manila Elections, Atienza finally made it to the mayoralty seat and history as the only Vice Mayor who got elected as city mayor. Atienza was noted for expressing his strong opposition in the reclamation of the city's part of Roxas Boulevard/Manila Bay. The former Mayor of Manila was also able to change and has given a face-lift to much of entire city's former tourist attractions along with the lives and welfare of the city folks.Atienza also devised major projects which were aimed to benefit the poor, the older citizens, women and children.

After completing a full term as Manila Mayor, Atienza would later serve as the DENR secretary under President Arroyo. As DENR secretary, Atienza spearheaded massive effort to implement the ill- executed Clean Air Act. Atienza also invested his efforts on giving a new life to the country's rivers and lakes, partnering with several environment groups including the Laguna Lake Development Authority and ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan.He has also ordered the crackdown on illegal logging operations in the countryside and has also ordered the closures of open dumpsites as part of his drive in protecting our country's natural resources.

Being Mayor of Manila is a great responsibility since it would mean running the nation's capital and seat of power. No one more deserves to hold the position as city mayor than former mayor Lito Atienza. Atienza under his Lito Atienza 2010 banner deserves to win the Manila Elections for the fourth time since he is the most accomplished and experienced among other bets. Atienza's unblemished political career is a clear testament to his passion in being a public servant.

-Joel Dumayog