Mayors scolded for eyesores

Mayors scolded for eyesores

MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Fidel Ramos yesterday gave a scolding to the 17 mayors of the districts that make up Metropolitan Manila for the poor condition of the country's capital.

This included giving the mayors aerial tours by helicopter and a video showing uncollected garbage, clogged drainage canals, flooded, potholed and obstructed streets and other eyesores, a palace statement said.

"I want you to keep your eyes open. You should know what is going on in your surroundings," the statement quoted Ramos as telling the mayors.

Ramos said the capital should be kept clean not only because the country was hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum this November but because, as elected officials, they were suppose to "make sure that your house is in order."

Ramos also ordered the release of 100 million pesos (US$3.8 million) for the completion of major projects in the capital and also urged the mayors to acquire land in the provinces outside the capital to relocate some of the squatters in Manila.