The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Thursday opened its first park under its “I Love Metro Manila” Adopt-A-Park Project in Valenzuela City as part of the celebration of its 24th cityhood anniversary.
The “I Love MM (Metro Manila)” project is aimed at showcasing the National Capital Region’s growth and development.
MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian led the inauguration of the MMDA-Valenzuela Friendship Park located at Disiplina Village in Barangay Bignay. It has four areas designed by the city government and funded and constructed by MMDA.
The park shall cater to different age groups from toddlers with its safe and spacious playsets, teens and adults with its shaded benches, fountains, and multi-function space. There is also an area with exercise equipment for the elderly and health buffs.
The MMDA-Valenzuela Friendship Park is one of the 17 open spaces to be built across Metro Manila as part of the urban re-greening and renewal initiatives to address urban decay, raise environmental awareness and encourage inclusiveness.
According to Abalos, the purpose of this project, which is his brainchild, is to develop under-utilized parks by improving their usability especially in this time of pandemic.
“The pandemic made us realize the importance of ventilation, open, and green spaces. With these parks being improved and open to the public, we can provide an area for family events and wellness activities which are both equally necessary for physical and mental health,” he said.
He also said it is a way of giving back to the local government units of Metro Manila for their share of internal revenue allotment as source of funds and budget of the agency.
“The MMDA is beyond grateful for the help of the National Capital Region LGUs for the agency. Through these parks, we can repay them by providing open spaces for their fellow constituents,” Abalos said.
For his part, Gatchalian said the establishment of the park will provide more space for recreation and encourage better mobility.
“It is part of the city’s vision to take back the streets to people to make Valenzuela more livable,” he said.
Almost 5,000 families are expected to benefit from the MMDA-Valenzuela Friendship Park.
The Adopt-A-Park Project, conceptualized last March 2021, aims to develop or rehabilitate existing open spaces in each LGU in Metro Manila into functional green parks, as well as develop under-utilized parks.