METRO BRIEFS: June 6, 2019

Divided Manila city council awaits Isko Moreno

MANILA, Philippines — As Manila Mayor-elect Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso prepares to take over on June 30, he also faces a divided city council that may make it hard for him to implement his agenda.

A look at the city’s election results showed that while 16 of the 36 councilors-elect were from Domagoso’s party, Asenso Manileño, 11 had ran under outgoing Mayor Joseph Estrada’s ticket.

The rest were from different political groups. Still, the self-styled Manileño is confident that with his running mate and incumbent Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna at the city council’s helm, “we will be able to push our legislative agenda, which is to strengthen the city’s social services.”

“We’d like to craft an ordinance addressing Manila’s garbage problem, create a new Nutribun program, and introduce a new student allowance program for city university students,” Domagoso told the Inquirer in a statement. —Krixia Subingsubing

Valenzuela passes ordinance protecting LGBTQ

MANILA, Philippines — While the antidiscrimination bill remains pending in the Senate, Valenzuela City has approved an ordinance protecting members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community from all forms of harassment.

Under Ordinance no. 549 authored by Councilor Kim Galang  which was approved recently, equal work opportunities and public and social services, including “adequate LGBTQ toilets,” would be provided to members of the community.

LGBTQ desks should also be set up in each of the city’s 24 barangays to assist people who experienced discrimination because of their sexual orientation.

Violators of the ordinance face a P1,000 fine or imprisonment of up to a year. —Nikka G. Valenzuela

Spirit empowerment seminar on June 8-9

MANILA, Philippines — The Lord’s Flock Catholic Charismatic Ministry will be holding a Spirit Empowerment Seminar on June 8 and 9.

The free seminar which is open to the public will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. at 5 Catanduanes St., near the corner of West Avenue, in Quezon City.

For inquiries, call 3765780 or visit LordsFlock.org.