The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) has lauded the initiative of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to improve the capital city's public spaces. 

Commenting on the current tourism efforts of Manila, TPB chief operating officer Atty. Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones said the rehabilitation primarily of public spaces makes Manila more interesting to the general public, especially to tourists, making it ideal in particular both for functional walks and for leisure walking tours.

“With protocols in place, outdoor tourism activities like walk tours are viable for tourists and communities alike,” Allones said, who heads the marketing arm of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT).

With the ongoing renovation of the seemingly neglected Lagusnilad underpass, the TPB, is in fact, eyeing to include the area in the future Manila walking tours. 

This, as the newly released perspectives of the area have gained praises from the public. 

Based on the photos, vertical gardens and signages will be placed at the entry and exit points of the underpass, which will also be adorned with a massive mural depicting significant events in Philippine history. 

The famed “Books from Underground”, the only establishment allowed to operate in the area, will also have better shelves for its books. 

The LGU’s ongoing tourism projects also include the installation of a fountain at Anda Circle, a roundabout at the boundary of Intramuros and Port Area; construction of vertical gardens in various areas of Manila, including different schools; and the vertical wall garden in Lawton Avenue. 

In July, the Manila mayor also gave the green light for work to start on the restoration of Manila Zoo, vying to compete with other zoos in Southeast Asian countries once the work has been completed next year.