The newly inaugurated "hidden garden," a new urban green space at Liwasang Bonifacio in Lawton, Manila, is now open to the public.

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso led the inauguration of the one-hectare green space on Tuesday evening (Feb. 16).

In his speech, Domagoso said the garden was created in line with his vision to create more open green spaces in the capital city.

He also said that the garden can show the public that cleaner and breathable air is achievable even in a highly-urbanized city like Manila.

"Ang inyong pamahalaang lungsod ay hindi po tumitigil sa kanyang layunin na mapanatiling maaliwalas o maging maaliwalas ang Lungsod ng Maynila (Your city government is not stopping in its goal to maintain the cleanliness of the City of Manila). We dedicate this day to you—to the people of Manila, and those people who will come in and out of the city," he said.

The garden also features the Hidden Garden Café that is seen to generate new jobs and opportunities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Manila mayor appealed to the public to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the newly opened garden.

"Ito ay pag-aari niyo, angkinin niyo mga mamamayan, at parang katulad ng inyong mga bahay, pagmalasakitan niyo din itong ari-arian ninyo. Pagmalasakitan niyo sapagkat mano pa, pagdating ng araw, mas sariwang hangin ang makakamit ng inyong mga apo at anak (This is your property, lay claim to it, and like your houses, show compassion to this property. Show compassion because one day, your children and grandchildren will get fresher air to breathe)," he said.

Domagoso said they will continue to open more green spaces in the city.

"We will not stop our journey towards a better Manila for the people of Manila. Onti-onti, dahan dahan, masinop, mainam at episyente, hindi tayo magwawaldas, hindi tayo maglalagay ng kolorete lamang para busugin lamang ang ating mga mata (Slowly, neatly, effectively, and efficiently, we will not waste money, we will not do beautification projects just to satisfy our eyes)," he said.

"Ang lahat ng bagay na gagawin natin on top of the pandemic approach is mga bagay na kapaki-pakinabang ng pangmatagalan katulad halimbawa ng paglilinis ng kapaligiran kasama na ang pagbibigay ng sariwa at malinis na hangin sa isang urbanized na local government tulad ng City of Manila (All of the things we are doing on top of the pandemic approach are useful and long-term projects, like for example, cleaning our surroundings and providing fresh and clean air in an urbanized area such as the City of Manila)," he added.