Naga City, Cebu Province — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso is all praises for the local government of Naga City led by Mayor Kristine Chiong for its efforts in providing open green spaces in their city where people can socialize, relax and enjoy nature.
Moreno made the remark following a dialogue with members of the LGBTQ+ community, women sector, and barangay health workers at the Pasilong sa Naga, a world-class green public park designed by world-renowned designer Kenneth Cobunpue. The park is located along Barangay East Poblacion.
The 47-year-old presidential aspirant was warmly welcomed by Naga City officials led by Mayor Chiong in his visit to their highly-industrialized city. Moreno was accompanied by Deputy Speaker and 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia during his tour in the city’s tourist attractions, including the board walk.
The Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer specifically cited Chiong for her efforts in transforming the area into a world-class park, complete with interlocking circles of elevated walkways, fountains, benches and rest areas from being just a canopy of acacia and narra trees.
“Alam ninyo marami-rami na rin akong napuntahang munisipyo, syudad. Mapalad kayo dito sa Naga City sapagkat meron kayong alkalde na binabawi at ibinabahagi muli sa salinlahi, to the next generation, ang kasaysayan kung saan tayo nanggaling at ano tayo bilang mamamayan. Alam ninyo sabi ng mga bayani at mga matatanda ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinaggalingan, ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan,” Moreno said.
Built at a cost of P75.4-million and inaugurated on October 7 of this year, the 6,407 square-meter park dubbed as “Pasilong sa Naga,” which means “to find shade in Naga,” has been built to address the need for more open spaces in the city.
“Mapalad kayo that your city mayor, your officials creating such open green spaces for you. Dadami ang tao, kakaunti ang espasyo, sisikip, di na magiging maaliwalas. Ngunit what the leadership of your local government did is para kayo ay may lugar na mapupuntahan. Lalo na ngayon lagi na lang nasa bahay diba, puro quarantine,” Moreno pointed out.
Moreno cited the importance of having open green spaces in every community as this can encourage physical exercises, provide spaces for socializing, decrease noise and air pollution, and improve immune function by providing exposure to beneficial microbiota. It also can help with psychological restoration; that is, green space provides a respite for over-stimulated minds.
“This is the type of place that creates certain environment, psychologically and emotionally affects favorably sa puso, isipan, at damdamin ng tao. Kaya palakpakan ninyo ang ating mayor nagulat ako talaga, promise,” Moreno said.
When he became mayor of Manila in July 1, 2019, Moreno said one of his goals was to reclaim lost open green spaces in the city occupied illegally by vendors, vagrants, and illegal settlers. He, for one, had an unfortunate experience of stepping on human waste when he stepped out of his car upon arriving at city hall.
“Sa Maynila marami kaming ganito, napakarami, pero lahat ‘yun halos nawala. Nawala lahat ‘yun dahil pinagkukuha ng mga siga-siga,” Moreno said.
“In fact, meron ho dun isa sa Lawton, punong-puno ng basura ‘yun… ‘yun ang mini Smokey Mountain. Can you imagine just in front of the seat of power, seat of government, in the major intersection ngayon tawag namin hidden garden. So, I’m happy that there are mayors in our country who continue to give value and premium to open green space,” Moreno explained.
Committed to greening Manila, Moreno in September led the groundbreaking ceremony for the redevelopment of the Arroceros Urban Forest Park, dubbed as the national capital’s “last lung.” The park will have amenities like play areas, kiosks, and public toilets. It will also have landscaping with an elevated path walk, a special lighting system, and water fountains.
The 2.2-hectare park has more than 3,000 trees of 61 varieties and 8,000 ornamental plants and is home to 10 bird species.
“Kung mapapansin ninyo, kung maaalala ninyo about 10 days ago nag start na muli ‘yung redevelopment ng Arroceros Park, the last lung of the city para to make it available to the general public. Pero grabe itong ginawa ni mayora ninyo, tignan ninyo world class,” Moreno pointed out.
Prior to his visit to Naga City, Moreno also visited the municipality of Balamban and the City of Toledo where he promised to cut by half oil and electricity taxes to cushion the socio-economic effects of the pandemic.
While this may cost the government P130 billion in foregone revenue, Moreno said the twin tax cuts would bring immediate relief to ordinary Filipinos in the form of lower cost of food, lower transportation fares, and higher income, among others.