MANILA, Philippines — Manila mayor-elect Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has assured that Arroceros Forest Park and Manila Zoo will not be sold.
“I made a commitment before election and even yesterday when I was being interviewed by another outfit, na we will protect and we will not sell. We will develop Arroceros Park because that’s the only breathing space for Lawton sa Manila,” Domagoso said Sunday during an interview with dzMM.
“We will try to make it parang pasyalan ng tao,” he added.
The 2.2-hectare Arroceros Forest Park, located along Antonio Villegas street in Ermita, is considered as Manila’s “last lung.”
Outgoing mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada earlier planned to turn the park in to a gymnasium.
READ: Missing the forest for the gym
On the other hand, Domagoso also vowed that Manila Zoo will not be sold and its animals will be protected.
“Manila Zoo will be maintained. We’ll not sell it,” he said. “All animals will be protected at talagang sisilipin ko po yung katayuan ng mga hayop doon lalo na sa pagpapakain sa kanila.”
Manila Zoo has been closed indefinitely since January after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) tagged it as one of Manila Bay’s major pollutants. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)
READ: Manila Zoo closed indefinitely