Lorenzana praises Isko Moreno for Manila cleanup drive

Divisoria, the shopping haven of the budget-conscious in Manila, is unrecognizable without the usual horde of vendors clogging its roads. The photo on the left was taken a few days before Christmas in 2018. The one on the right was taken on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. (Photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Sunday that he would soon pay a visit to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to personally congratulate him for his reforms in Manila.

In a text message sent to Moreno’s camp, Lorenza praised the newly-elected mayor for his campaign in clearing decongested streets, particularly those around Divisoria, in Manila.

“Mabuhay ka, Mayor Isko, for what you are doing in Manila,” Lorenzana said. “It’s like him we need most at this time.”

Lorenza is the second Cabinet secretary to praise Moreno since the mayor assumed office last June 30.

First, there was Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who said that Moreno should maintain his program of reforms in the nation’s capital until his term ends.

Moreno, Año added, should also sustain the clearing of informal settlers from creeks and other danger zones to help the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program.

In response to the compliments, Moreno vowed that his administration would remain “consistent” in its mission to re-energize the city.

He also promised to intensify cleanup efforts in Manila.

“I will never get tired of asking for help to clean up our streets. Don’t think na ngayon lang iyan. Non-negotiable [ang ating policies],” Moreno said in a statement.

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)