The local government of Manila called on all city government officials and employees Monday to take care of city properties, emphasizing that they are purchased with taxpayer money.

Speaking at the city’s flag-raising ceremony, Mayor Honey Lacuna said government assets, both large and small, should be treated with the same care as personal belongings.

“This is the responsibility of every office in our government. Therefore, I hope we fix and ensure that all properties of our city are used properly and maintained, because these will still be used by the next leaders of our city,” said the outgoing mayor.

Lacuna also expressed gratitude to the City General Services Office for their work in maintaining city properties.

During the same event, Lacuna addressed the work schedule of city employees, noting that some government offices in the National Capital Region have reverted to an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.

She asked the assembled officials and employees whether they preferred to return to that schedule or maintain the current 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule.

Lacuna expressed surprise when a hand-raising consensus revealed that most preferred to keep the earlier hours.