By Joseph Almer Pedrajas and Gabriela Baron
People going to Intramuros from Manila City Hall and vice-versa will no longer pass through a neglected, dimly-lit and crowded underpass as a renovated Lagusnilad will be unveiled to the public "in the coming weeks."
(Photo courtesy of Mayor Isko Moreno)
In a Facebook live on Friday night, Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso gave a glimpse of what the new underpass would look like, as renovation works finally resumed after three months of lockdown.
"Yung famous na underpass dito sa tapat ng city hall, nakita niyo 'yung update, malapit na matapos. Kahit ako nagulat na ganyan kalaki yan ," Moreno said.
"There will be a greenery" in the new pedestrian tunnel like what they did to the refurbished Jones Bridge, Moreno shared.
Non-skid tiles were used as flooring so that pedestrians, particularly the elderly, would not slip when the floor is wet.
The renovation of the underpass is part of Moreno's plan to restore Manila to its old glory and make it a green city.
"I promise you, we will open more green space... 'Yan po ay regalo namin sa inyo (that is our gift to you)," he said.
In a forum in South Korea in November, Moreno expressed his desire to achieve a breathing and livable city through creating more open and greener spaces.
He also aims to mitigate disaster risks and adapt to climate change through establishing some 1,600 hectares of green space parks.
As Manila is one of the densest cities in the world, Moreno admits doing this is a challenge. He plans to place “vertical gardening and roof gardens in key locations” among other things to realize his dream of making Manila a green city.