Manila opens Christmas Village to help COVID-affected workers, businesses

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso leads on Tuesday, December 1, the launching of the city’s month-long Christmas bazaar called “Paskuhan sa Maynila” at Mehan Garden. MANILA PIO

MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Manila has launched the “Paskuhan sa Maynila” Christmas Village and bazaar to support local businesses and help workers who lost their jobs as the city begins to celebrate the holiday season amid the pandemic.

During the launching on Tuesday, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso assured local business owners that the city government will support businesses by launching initiatives that will boost the economy and help residents get their lost jobs back.

“Ang inyong Pamahalaang Lungsod, through the leadership of Director Levi Facundo, has been engaging our business community in the City of Manila na kami ang maging tulay man lamang na sila ay makatawid sa kabilang dako ng dalampasigan kung saan may naghihintay na magandang bukas rin para sa ating lahat,” Domagoso said in his speech.

(Your city government, through the leadership of Director Levi Facundo, has been engaging our business community in the City of Manila that we will at least be the bridge that they can cross to the other side where there is a good tomorrow waiting for all of us.)

“If we’re going to be successful later on to help for these businesses to survive, then naturally we continue to protect the interest of employees who lost their jobs,” he added.

The mayor expressed that it is “undeniable” that apart from the city’s public health sector, the pandemic also affected its local economy.

“Maraming nawalan ng trabaho dahil maraming nagsasarang negosyo, hindi na kinaya ang sampung buwang pahirap dulot ng pandemya,” the mayor acknowledged.

(Many lost their jobs because many businesses were closed, unable to cope with the 10 months of hardships caused by the pandemic.)

The Paskuhan sa Maynila is part of the city’s initiatives that aim to generate more jobs in the city to help business owners recover from their losses, stimulate the economy and boost consumer confidence.

Domagoso said he has already issued a directive to agencies in the city to encourage the public to support locally-made products.

“Welcome po kayo sa Maynila. In fact, hindi lang kayo welcome, malugod namin kayong tinatanggap. Dumako kayo dito, maghanap-buhay kayo, pero nakikisuyo ako, ingatan niyo ang inyong sarili,” Domagoso said.

(We welcome you to Manila. In fact, we welcome you with open arms. Come here, earn a living, but please, take care of yourselves.)

Paskuhan sa Maynila Christmas Village will be open to public from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. until January 2, 2021. Zac Sarao, INQUIRER.net trainee