Abby Binay calls for reconciliation at first flag-raising as Makati mayor
July 4, 2016 | 4:27pm
MANILA, Philippines — Makati Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay said she welcomes the election protest lodged against her by rival Romulo “Kid” Peña, but added that she also seeks reconciliation.
The former Makati 2nd District representative said this Monday morning at her first flag-raising ceremony at the city hall as the elected mayor of the country’s business district.
“Ituloy ninyo, lumaban kayo ng patas at di ko kayo aatrasan but I still come for reconciliation, I still ask for unity and support. After the elections move on na tayong lahat, how can we move forward if we are stuck in the past. We shall forgive but we shall not forget,” she said.
Binay called on city hall employees to buckle down and assured them she would restore discipline, order, efficiency and transparency.
She thanked those who supported her family and said she intends to bring the city back on track after a year under the administration of Acting Mayor Peña.
“We thank those who were not dazzled by money, position and power, and never wavered in supporting, fighting for and praying for Team Binay,” she said.
'Many firsts'
Last Friday, her first day in office, Binay laid down her priorities and policy direction.
Binay said that in the next three years, her administration would prioritize capability-building for crime prevention, traffic management, sanitation and disaster response to improve public safety and order in the city.
She said the first two months would be focused on the review and evaluation of the status of programs and services. An audit of city hall personnel would also be conducted following reports that spouses, relatives, in-laws and friends of personalities identified with Peña were hired mostly under the Office of the Mayor, Binay added.
As part of the audit, Binay said all departments, offices and institutions under the city government have been required to submit a complete list of personnel, including their respective positions, duties and functions.
She also reminded the general services department to act promptly to avoid delays in acquiring medical supplies and other needs. Residents have complained about the lack of medicine, supplies and poor maintenance of facilities at the Ospital ng Makati (OSMAK) during the previous administration.
Meanwhile, Binay said Monday's flag raising at the city hall was a day of “many firsts” for her. She said that it was the first time that she spoke to residents as the city mayor and was also the first time that her father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay is now a private citizen.
She also admitted that there were some city department heads who were glad and there were also others who got sad with her victory at the polls last May.
“May mga bagong heads sa mga departments, my mga natutuwa marami rin nalulungot. The only thing constant in this world is change, ang sabi tuloy daw ang laban, mabuti naman para malaman ng taong bayan kung sino ang nagsisinungaling at nagpapanggap lamang,” she said.
Binay also recounted the alleged persecution suffered by her family in the past, which she said, made her family realize who their true supporters are.
“Ilang pagsubok ang dinaanan ng aming pamilya. Tatlong taon po nung huli akong tumungtong sa stage na ito, malungkot nag-iiyakan tayong lahat. Mula noon, kami ay siniraan, nilait, kinutya, di kmi tinantanan ngunit my dahilan ang diyos kung bakit kami dumaan sa pagsubok na ito. Binigyan kami ng Diyos na pagkakataon para malaman naming kung sino ang tunay na nagmamalasakit binigyan kami ng Diyos para Makita ang tunay na kulay ng mga tao. Meton pala syang plano. Ito ay isang pagsubok na di lang para sa amin, kungdi sa mga taong nakapalibot sa amin,” she said.
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