Manila’s famous landmark, the City Hall Clock Tower, went dark in honor of the city’s former Mayor Alfredo Lim, who passed away on Saturday due to COVID-19. He was 90 years old.
“Si dating Mayor Alfredo Lim ay sumakabilang buhay na po dala sa pagkaka-infection niya sa COVID-19. Ilang araw na po ang nakararaan, ngunit di na po kinaya ng kanyang katawan at opisyal na sumakabilang buhay alas 5 ng hapon,” Mayor Isko confirmed in a Facebook live on Saturday, as he paid tribute to the former mayor.
Regarded as a symbol of the capital and illuminated at nighttime, the whole clock tower saw its lights turned off on Saturday evening as a sign of respect to the long-time public servant.
Moreno said, “Baka po magtanong kayo, pinapatay po natin ang Clock Tower na sagisag ng pag-asa ng Maynila. Ngunit hindi ibig sabihin wala na tayong pag-asa. Ito ay isa lamang tanda ng paggalang, sa ating kaparaanan, habang hinaharap ang pandemya na ito, na ang isang taong naglingkod ay mabigyan rin ng konting pagpapahalaga.”
He said that he also wanted the young people to know the kind of leadership and service that Lim gave to the city of Manila.
A highly decorated policeman for 38 years, he served Manila from patrolman to chief of police, and 12 years as the city’s chief executive, Moreno said. His legacy as a Mayor includes the establishment of government-run hospitals Sta. Ana Hospital, Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital and Sampaloc Hospital as well as the Unibersidad of Manila that offers free tertiary education.
He also noted how the ex-Mayor became known for his anti-crime campaign, recalling that when he won the mayoralty race in May 2019, one of the first things he did was seek his advice on fighting criminality.
Moreno said of Lim, “Malinis at walang bahid ng corruption, bagay na dapat kayong mga kabataan na nanood ngayon na siya ang ating tularan, na pwede tayo maglingkod sa bayan ng tapat at maayos.”
His last personal encounter with Lim was during his 90th birthday in December 2019.
Moreno said that Lim’s passing can be taken as a reminder to be more vigilant this time of pandemic because COVID-19 chooses no one.
“Gamitin natin itong tanda na tayo ay talagang mag-ingat. Na itong pandemyang ito, walang sini-sinong tao. Siguro hanggang sa dulo, pinaglingkuran tayo ni Mayor Lim para paaalahanan tayo kung gaano ka bigat ang sitwasyon na nating kinakaharap, na ito’y makapaminsala sa ating kalusugan. If I may look at it that way, I think Mayor Lim did us service, to remind us to be careful and (to take care of ourselves).”
Moreno then requested the public to pray for the eternal repose of the soul of former Mayor Lim.
