There are a lot of other places in Manila that needs much bigger attention by city officials. Ermita and Malate areas are places that need much more urgent attention and rehabilitation. These are places for a long time were the most visited by tourists, and very sadly seem to have deteriorated and decayed over time.
Ermita and Malate need to have good lights especially around Robinsons mall, General Luna, Pedro Gil and going to Malate church.
I have heard so many unreported thefts and other crimes going on in these places and I myself even saw at one time a helpless pretty female student being kissed on the lips by a dirty man who looked like he was under the influence of some kind of drugs. The pretty student must be from one of the schools nearby on her way home, as she was holding her bag on one hand and books on the other hand that made her really helpless, and it was just around 9 p.m. Everyone around just looked at the incident with shock but could not do anything!
I hope Manila officials will also look into places other than Roxas Blvd.
Let us not blame foreigners (as one actress I remember) and ban them from coming when they say Manila is dirty because it is true.
But definitely all these places can be improved and make the public happier and feel safer if given attention.
Hopefully the Manila Bay and the districts around it can claim back their old glory!! — RICARDO R. BRAGANZA, MD, UN Avenue, Manila