The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Department of Budget and Management and the local government of Manila City, led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Plaza Azul Redevelopment Project in Pandacan, Manila City, as part of the Metro Manila Green Green Green Project.
According to MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, the redevelopment of Plaza Azul was proposed by Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna, which aims to convert the idle land into a park that city residents of Manila can enjoy. The MMDA then presented the redevelopment project to be part of DBM’s Green Green Green program.
Two years ago, the MMDA, under the leadership of then Chairman and now Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos, pioneered the MMDA’s Adopt-a-Park Project, which intends to lessen urban decay and provide areas for public events and wellness activities. Through the initiative, the agency has inaugurated over 27 parks across Metro Manila.
“The agency shall continue to enhance public open spaces and foster more green infrastructures in Metro Manila with funding from DBM and MMDA,” Artes said.
Once completed, the redeveloped park will be turned over to the local government of Manila, reminding the city residents to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the park.
The redevelopment project in Manila, according to DBM Undersecretary Wilford Will Wong, is a pilot project under the Green Green Green Program wherein public open spaces will be enhanced to make communities livable, sustainable, and well-connected through the implementation of green infrastructure.
“The government is making every effort to transition to a green economy.”
“The government is making every effort to transition to a green economy. This approach aligns with the principles of Bagong Pilipinas, striving for a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for the benefit of all Filipinos,” Wong said.
The Plaza Azul Redevelopment Park will house an alfresco space, a children’s playground, an activity lawn, a park pavilion, a basketball court, a multi-purpose court, an outdoor fitness equipment area, a jogging path, and a senior citizen pavilion.
With an area of 8,000 square meters, the Plaza Azul Redevelopment Park will house various facilities such as an alfresco space, a children’s playground, an activity lawn, a park pavilion, a basketball court, a multi-purpose court, an outdoor fitness equipment area, a jogging path, and a senior citizen pavilion.
For her part, Lacuna expressed her gratitude to the MMDA and DBM for selecting the Plaza Azul to undergo redevelopment as part of the Green Green Green initiative.
“In collaboration with the national government and local government units, expect that there will be more projects that will convert open spaces into parks. The local government of Manila commits its participation and support to the government’s projects and programs,” the lady mayor stressed.
