KAPAG mahalal na mayor ng Maynila, bibigyang prayoridad ni Rep. Amado Bagatsing ang pagpapaganda at pagsasaayos ng capital city ng bansa bilang sentro ng sining, kultura at kasaysayan.
Ayon kay Bagatsing, gagawin niya ito sa pakikipagtulungan sa mga negosyante, urban planners, mga eksperto sa kasaysayan at artist groups.
“There’s a need for us, Filipinos, to revisit our history, culture and arts. Not only art for art’s sake but also so we can touch base with who we are as a people,” sabi pa ni Bagatsing.
“We will bring back the glory days of Manila and rescue it from urban decay as a result of neglect and apathy of the present and past administrations,” dagdag niya.
Kabilang sa mga plano ni Bagatsing ang revival at reconstruction ng Metropolitan Theater, ang pag-imbentaryo sa mga sinehan at pagbibigay-suporta sa mga pelikula, musika at likhang-sining ng mga Filipino.
“We have so many beautiful and socially relevant films, especially those from indie producers and directors. We need to support them as well as those coming out from the yearly Metro Manila Film Festival,” wika niya.
Ipapakita rin ang ganda ng siyudad sa pamamagitan ng float parades at pagpapalabas ng history, arts at cultural materials.
“Roxas Boulevard will be a place for painters and musicians and not hawkers and beerhouses. There, painters can draw inspiration from the breathtaking Manila Bay sunset as tourists and locals alike promenade safely; there musicians can play their instruments or songs freely as they’re caressed by the clean and soft breeze from Manila Bay,” dagdag pa ni Bagatsing.
“We will also revive Intramuros and all of our efforts will be in coordination with the hotel and restaurant associations, the police and the barangay. I know how beautiful Manila was and I intend to reclaim that beauty and glory if elected mayor,” aniya.