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FIRST LOOK: Manila's 1,600-hectare green space to start at City Hall park

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Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<p>Every time diplomats, business leaders and beauty queens visit Manila Mayor Isko Moreno&#x27;s office, they would be offered one thing: a good look at the shabby park overlooking the capital city&#x27;s seat of power.</p><p>&quot;That&#x27;s &#x27;tae-tae island&#x27; (poop island),&quot; Moreno would consistently tell every guest as he rolls up his office blinds and point at the Kartilya ng Katipunan monument.</p><p>&quot;I call it that because it used to be full of shit, literally,&quot; the mayor would say chuckling. &quot;I even stepped on it.&quot;</p><p>But the open space that was supposed to be an ode to the heroic members of the Katipunan is not just a staple in Moreno&#x27;s banter with dignitaries and other visitors. </p><p>The once-neglected park has also become the mayor&#x27;s pet project, and the starting point of his planned 1,600-hectares of green space in the city.</p><div><strong>PET PROJECT</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/08/20190904-manila-city-masterplan-jc-4863.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></figure></div><p>&quot;How can I ask others to clean their areas when the city hall can&#x27;t even clean its own yard?&quot; Moreno said in several key addresses before businessmen, where he usually touts the park.</p><p>In less than a hundred days since he took oath as Manila mayor, Moreno ordered a makeover of the shoddy space.</p><p>Makeshift stalls that sold street food were dismantled. The road behind the monument was paved. At least 3,000 capiz lights were hung on trees.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/life/08/14/iskonek-manila-gc-1.jpg"/></figure></div><p>A <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/14/19/mayor-isko-launches-free-wifi-charging-kiosk-in-manila">WiFi kiosk</a> that also serves as a free telephone booth and charging station was installed at the park, which is now being marketed as a venue for the city government&#x27;s free open-air concerts and <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/16/19/free-movie-screening-manila-launches-open-air-cinema-at-restored-park">movie screenings</a>.</p><p>And the city government said the project has barely begun.</p><div><strong>DANCING FOUNTAIN</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1383595" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>A multi-million-peso dancing fountain will be constructed in front of the monument.</p><p>&quot;It will serve as an additional attraction,&quot; Manila City Engr. Armand Andres told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>Moreno earlier said PLDT-Smart CEO Manny V. Pangilinan has agreed to finance its construction. ABS-CBN News tried to confirm the details with the tycoon&#x27;s communications team, but has yet to receive a response.</p><div><strong>COFFEE SHOP</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/08/20190830-manila-plans-5.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></figure></div><p>A coffee shop will be also be built in the area to provide refreshments for park goers, Andres said.</p><p>Beans will be sourced from local farmers, he said.</p><div><strong>SECURITY OUTPOST</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/08/20190830-manila-plans-4-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></figure></div><p>The park&#x27;s existing security outpost will be upgraded to a gazebo-type structure with glass walls.</p><p>A study showed that security officials work more efficiently when the public can see what they are doing, the mayor said in one of his banters with a foreign dignitary.</p><div><strong>PUBLIC TOILETS</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/08/20190830-manila-plans-3.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></figure></div><p>A public toilet will also be constructed since this was a popular request of park goers, Moreno said.</p><p>&quot;There are so many people passing by the park and we wanted to accommodate them and give them an outlet,&quot; he said.</p><p>The city engineer&#x27;s office is still finalizing details and costs, and has yet to set a target date for the completion of the project, Andres said.</p><p>&quot;Basta makakuha kami ng funds, maayos namin &#x27;yung funding, start na kami,&quot; he said.</p><div><strong>&#x27;NOTHING SPECTACULAR&#x27;</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/09/08/20190830-manila-plans.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></figure></div><p>Despite upgrades, there is &quot;nothing spectacular&quot; about the project, Moreno said.</p><p>&quot;Simpleng paggo-gobyerno ito, nothing spectacular,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;We just need to create 1,600 hectares of green space in the next 3 years in the city of Manila.&quot;</p><p>The Environment Department said that was the green space needed to make Manila&#x27;s environment healthy again, he said.</p><p>&quot;We will make it a more livable city, a smart city,&quot; the mayor said.</p>

<p>Mayor Isko Moreno sees City Hall park as ground zero for his vision of a "more livable, smart" Manila.</p>

Mayor Isko Moreno sees City Hall park as ground zero for his vision of a "more livable, smart" Manila.

FIRST LOOK: Manila's 1,600-hectare green space to start at City Hall park

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FIRST LOOK: Manila's 1,600-hectare green space to start at City Hall park

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 08, 2019 07:17 AM PHT

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