Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said the city government has prepared a full range of support services for residents and participants of the mass protests across the capital on Sunday, September 21, stressing that the local government’s role is to safeguard health, order, and welfare.
“This is our small share and initiative for those people who will go to Manila, particularly our people who will participate in the activities in different areas within the city limits,” Domagoso told reporters in an interview after sending off city workers earlier in the morning.
According to the Mayor, the city deployed doctors, nurses, first responders, ambulances, and equipment to ensure readiness.
He added that 14 designated sites are equipped with portalets and water stations, available to both police and protesters. “May tubig din ‘yan, one to… one to sawa, until supply lasts, for any John Does and Mary,” he said.
The 14 deployment sites include the Postal Bank, Post Office, PLM Roundtable, Katigbak Ninoy Aquino, Museo Pambata, the service road in front of the U.S. Embassy, Mendiola, DBM Ayala Bridge, NPC Center Island, and five sites at the Kartilya ng Katipunan.
“Basta sila, kakailanganin ang tulong ninoman, handa ang Lungsod ng Maynila tumulong kaninoman, whether sila ay sibilyan o uniformed personnel,” Domagoso said.
The Mayor also appealed for peaceful conduct during the protests. “I hope everyone will be safe, and of course, malaya kayong makapagsalita ng inyong damdamin. But at the same time, siguro, ang wish ko na rin, maging responsable tayong mamamayan,” he said.
Demonstrators, he added, must avoid causing harm or damage: “Hindi natin kailangan tularan ang asal na hindi maganda na ginawa ng ilang tao sa gobyerno.”
Domagoso also addressed ongoing infrastructure issues, saying the city has flagged questionable projects inherited from previous administrations.
He cited examples in Districts 2 and 6, including a battery-run facility in Damka and the Sunog Apog project, which he said were either incomplete or non-functional.
The mayor said the city has successfully collected back taxes from flood control contractors. “Okay naman, yada sila lahat, bayad sila, siningil natin ang mga contractor,” he said.
He added that erring firms have also been held accountable, with the city collecting ₱10.4 million in damages from companies with pending criminal cases.
On investigations into corruption in flood control projects, the Mayor said Manila would cooperate fully with national inquiries.
“I will let the Senate do their job, which they are doing right now, and of course, the newly created ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure). If they will come and visit Manila, they are welcome here, we’ll be happy to assist them,” he said.
“Gagawin namin ang dapat naming gawin na ikabubuti ng mga taga-Lungsod ng Maynila at ng Lungsod ng Maynila,” Domagoso said. “We are watching and waiting also for ICI and Senate to come up with the results of their findings.”
