The Chinese community in Manila thanked Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada for ensuring the successful, safe and orderly celebration of the Chinese New Year, as well as his “big programs” for the development of the city’s Chinatown.
Filipino-Chinese groups praised Mayor Estrada for the extravaganza of celebrations starting from the CNY countdown at Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz at the heart of Binondo on Friday, and the grand parade on Saturday.
Joey Go, honorary president of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, praised Estrada for ensuring the CNY celebration would be successful and orderly.
“Just like what the ambassador of China [Zhao Jianhua] said, we work together for the two countries, whether for economy, or for friendship,” Go said.
Delfin So, president of 168 Mall, added: “The mayor’s programs are good. We saw there is great improvement in Manila, especially for the business community. What I like the most is his order to become stricter with the police. That’s why we see good performance of the police.”
Dr. William Lee, Director of the FCCCI, emphasized: “Manila now, from what I have observed, is already improving. Peace and order, no problem; cleanliness is okay.”
Jeric Chua, president of Eng Bee Tin, said: “Definitely, every year we would like to see a better Manila… and slowly we saw that we achieved this. Regarding peace and order and security, we see more police visibility today. So, there is peace of mind with the people here. Especially today, regarding the drug busts, the Chinese community can see that the government is serious about change.”
Russian Ambassador Igor Anatolyevich Khovaev was among the guests who joined the CNY countdown.
Among the business leaders who joined Estrada during the celebration were Angel Ngu, president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and William Yap, president of the Filipino Chinese Business Club.