Fil-Am hopes to bring change to American Canyon City Council

Elmer Manaid / CONTRIBUTED

AMERICAN CANYON, Calif. – A Filipino American businessman running for American Canyon City Council hopes to bring change to this city in southern Napa County in California.

If elected, Elmer Manaid plans to push for the inclusion of Filipino Cultural Studies as an elective high school course.

“I intend to work with the school district on finding ways on how we can make it happen,” said Manaid – a mentor for Filipino Life and Generation Group (FLAGG), a club for Filipino students at American Canyon High School.

“The students really want to study Philippine history and language.”

Manaid, who hails from Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija and Marikina City, had always wanted to represent the close to 30 percent Filipino American population in American Canyon, which is located about 35 miles northeast of San Francisco.

He believes that the leadership of the city should reflect its people.

“By being in City Council, I can bring changes and impart ideas that will mirror my Filipino culture and heritage,” he said. “I can also provide a voice for the underserved members of the population, particularly the youth and seniors.”

Manaid told Inquirer.net USA that he has spearheaded outreach projects that “benefited our kababayans in the Philippines.”

“We have sent support both financially and in-kind to several orphanages, homes for the aged and the wounded AFP soldiers at V. Luna Medical center,” he said.

“We have also sent relief goods and monetary donations during times of severe calamities. We have sent books and school supplies to children living in the far corners of the Philippines who do not have the means and resources to afford them.”

Manaid said that if elected, he would immediately address urgent issues, including the mental health crisis and housing affordability in the city.  He also plans to improve city facilities, schools and infrastructures, and preserve wetlands and open spaces.

His other goals include:

• Strengthen relationships with the leaders of California, Napa County and neighboring cities.
• Maintain meaningful engagements with all sectors of the community.
• Support the preservation and conservation of wetlands and open spaces.
• Forge strong public-private partnerships for the benefit of American Canyon residents.
• Ensure that local infrastructures, facilities, resources and basic services are adequate to accommodate growth.
• Provide leadership and service that is committed to integrity, transparency, accountability and responsive governance.