If you’ve ever been following Nolisoli.ph at all, then you’d know that one of our biggest advocacies is the preservation of cultural landmarks. The Arroceros Forest Park is one that we’ve especially been vocal about it, because not only is it a culturally significant area, it’s also Metro Manila’s last lung.
Last year, under the governship of then-Mayor Erap Estrada, the Manila City government had plans to demolish the park to turn the green space into a sports gymnasium. A few months later, it was then threatened to be turned into a commercial space. (Read: Manila City gov’t is planning to destroy its last park)
Thankfully, Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, the newly-elected Mayor of Manila, announced on May 19 his plans to preserve Manila’s last breathing space. At an interview with the dzMM radio show, the mayor-elect vowed, “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.”
Aside from the park, Domagoso also committed to protecting the Manila Zoo, which has been temporarily closed since the start of the year when it was deemed as a top Manila Bay pollutant. (Read: Major Manila Bay polluter Manila Zoo to build water treatment plants) “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.”
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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