MAASIN CITY, Oct. 15 (PIA) -- An open area that used to have full of unkempt, tall shrubs surrounding the government center in Barangay Combado, this city, has been transformed into a spacious, selfie-perfect park since last year, when the first phase of the three-phase project was finished.
The area that was already developed encompassed the fenced, main gate fronting of Maasin City National High School (MCNHS) facing the sea, including the front yard of the Barangay Liga and BIR buildings, a wide span now fully landscaped with different ornamental plants, the ground fitted with brown and gray bricks.
“The project is called waterfront landscaping, and ongoing now is Phase 2,” Engr. Marcelino Sumabat, a ranking staff of the City Engineering Office disclosed, adding that the second phase covered the road belt encircling the BIR building facing the sea.
The first and second phases of the waterfront landscaping project cost P14 million each, the funds coming from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Sumabat said in an interview.
“There will be a Phase 3 next year, for another P15 million, and the whole circumferential area around MCNHS will be developed through landscaping by then,” he added.
The garden-themed greenery has attracted young and old alike since it was finished before Christmas last year, the people doing jogging, walking, or Zumba dancing.
Even with the imposition of Covid-19 restrictions strollers still find limited time to enjoy the open-air space, mostly early morning before and after sunrise, and during sunset.
In its website, the DBM announced that it initiated in 2018 “a unique assistance program that aims to make the country’s cities more livable and sustainable through the development of public open spaces,” an initiative parallel to the Build, Build, Build massive infra development program in close collaboration with LGUs.
It said the program supports city governments in creating “breathing space” by enriching open spaces through the establishments of parks and gardens, upgrading streets and waterfronts, and revitalizing plazas.
“It will also improve the connectivity and accessibility of spaces by constructing eco-friendly bike lanes and walkways,” the DBM further said. (ldl/mmp/PIA-Southern Leyte)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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