Manila mayor-elect Isko Moreno on Wednesday said he would prioritize addressing garbage problems and security concerns once he reassumes his former office in city hall.
In a one-on-one interview with Arnold Clavio on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita, Moreno said, “‘Yung dalawang pangunahing hinihingi niyo sa akin, yung kalinisan, kaayusan, at kapanatagan ng pamumuhay sa Maynila, ‘yun po una kong tutugunan.”
(I will address cleanliness and orderliness, and secure living in Manila. These are the two primary concerns that the people want me to focus on.)
Moreno said he has been receiving a lot of complaints from constituents about garbage in the city. He said this became one of his campaign promises.
“Ang basura, o sanidad for that matter, is an issue of all. Hindi ‘yan issue ng mahirap, hindi ‘yan issue ng middle class, hindi ‘yan issue ng mayaman. Lahat ng tao, dahil walang pinipili ang sakit dulot ng tambak ng basura pagdating sa kapakanan ng taumbayan,” he said.
(Garbage, or sanitation for that matter, is an issue for all. It’s not an issue of the poor, it’s not an issue of the middle class, it’s not an issue of the rich alone. It’s everyone’s concern because the diseases brought about by garbage do not choose their victims.)
As for security, Moreno lamented that Manila is among the cities with the highest crime indexes in Southeast Asia.
Citing incidents of holdup and snatching, Moreno said crimes happen even during “Broad daylight and so on and so forth. And one of the reasons bakit dumadaming ganyan kasi maraming gumagamit ngayon [ng droga].”
(Broad daylight and so on and so forth. And one of the reasons why there are so many crimes is because there are a lot of illegal drug users.)
“‘Yung bisyo, kailangan tugunan nila. Kaya sabi ko, mga tolongges, palit na kayo ng address or magbago na kayo,” he added.
(They need to do something about vices. That’s why I say to you troublemakers: Change your address or change your ways.)
Meanwhile, Moreno vowed that he would complete his three terms as Manila mayor, dismissing the possibility that he would run again for president in the 2028 elections like he did in the 2022 polls.
“I already committed to the people of Manila. We’re gonna create a 10-year plan,” Moreno said.
“Actually, hindi naman masama tumakbo ng presidente. Sa mga manonood ngayon, may mga anak sila. Malamang nangangarap din silang maging presidente at makapaglingkod. It’s just that it’s destiny. The people have chosen already President Bongbong Marcos and we move on with our lives,” he added.
(Actually, it’s not bad to run for president. To our viewers, they have children. They probably also dream of becoming president and serving the people. It’s just that it’s destiny. The people have already chosen President Bongbong Marcos and we move on with our lives.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News
