By Benjamin Cuaresma
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso welcomed a major rice donation from Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda-Leviste on Tuesday, April 14, calling it a timely show of bayanihan for the city.
Leviste turned over 4,000 sacks of rice, each containing 25 kilograms, directly to the City of Manila. The lawmaker stressed that the entire donation came from his personal resources and did not use a single peso of public funds.
“This is my way of saying thank you to Manila for hosting Batangueños at Liwasang Bonifacio for a week. I personally donated 4,000 sacks of 25-kilo rice to the city under Mayor Isko Moreno, with no cost to the government,” Leviste said.
Leviste also took the opportunity to recognize Manila for opening its freedom parks to Filipinos from across the country. He cited the city’s effort to keep the areas clean, safe, and orderly for everyone who uses them.
“Manila allows Filipinos from different provinces to gather in its freedom parks, and we’re truly grateful that the city keeps these spaces clean, orderly, and safe,” he said.
He added that Batangueños stand behind calls to cut the value-added tax and push for stronger measures to address soaring oil prices. Leviste likewise thanked Domagoso and the Manila City government for preserving the capital’s cleanliness and order.
In response, Domagoso thanked Leviste and the people of Batangas, saying the donation comes at a time when many families are struggling.
The mayor assured that the 100,000 kilograms of rice will be distributed to Manila residents most in need, and said the city values the solidarity shown by Batangas.
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