As the local government continues to find ingenious ways to build open, green spaces within Pasig City’s limited land area, a newly established pocket park was opened on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 23, in Barangay Sumilang, Pasig City.

The Kaunlaran Linear Park, also known as “Kapihan sa Sumilang” by locals, was built on an elevated patch of paved land situated at a portion of the Pasig riverside.

Here, Sumilang residents and visitors may relax and unwind while enjoying freshly brewed coffee, served from a single stall. Chairs and tables propped under wide umbrellas were placed all over the park.

A small altar dedicated to the barangay’s patroness Sta. Rosa de Lima was set at the entrance of the park, with a large LED sign of Sumilang positioned above the altar.

The park was primarily an initiative of Barangay Sumilang, led by Chairman Maii Ramos-Gomez. The local government helped provide some plants to decorate the area.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Congressman Roman Romulo attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the park in support of the project.

Sotto congratulated and commended the efforts of the officials of Barangay Sumilang in leading the creation of the pocket park.

“Kahit hindi ganoon kalaki ang land area natin sa Sumilang, ang totoo sa buong Pasig, nagagawan parin natin ng paraan para magkaroon ng mga open spaces gaya ng People’s Street natin (Even if the land area of Sumilang is not as big or wide, which is true for all of Pasig, we can still find ways to establish and develop open spaces within them like our People’s Streets initiative),” he said during the inauguration rites.

“We’re happy to help kung papaano kayang tumulong ng city government (We’re happy to help in any way the city government can),” Sotto added.

The opening of the park coincided with Barangay Sumilang’s Seniors Day celebration, or “Fiesta ni Lolo at Lola,” held along Lopez Jaena Street, which was declared as one of the city’s People’s Streets.

More open spaces

Throughout Sotto’s term, he has advocated for more open, green spaces to be built within Pasig City.

Among the local government’s projects included the renovation of the Rainforest Adventure Experience (RAVE) Park, and the inauguration of the Buting Linear Park in Barangay Buting, in partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Rehabilitation of the Pineda Linear Park in Barangay Pineda is also underway, in partnership with the Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office (PRCMO).

The Pasig City Transportation Development & Management Office (CTDMO) has also coordinated with various barangays to establish People’s Streets on “Carless Sundays.”

Through the People’s Streets initiatives, selected streets and avenues in the city are closed and non-passable to large vehicles during the weekend, or just on Sundays, at a given time period in order to give spaces for residents’ leisure activities.

So far, seven areas have been declared People’ Streets.

Only pedestrians, bicycles, and light personal mobility vehicles are allowed to enter the following areas, following their respective schedules:

• East Bank Road (Manggahan Barangay Hall to Alfonso Street) in Barangay Manggahan - on Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Lopez Jaena Street in Barangay Sumilang – on Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Oranbo Drive (Captain Javier Drive to St. Peter Street) in Barangay Oranbo - on Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• MH Del Pilar (San Nicolas Barangay Hall to Elpidio Angeles Street) in Barangay Sto. Tomas - on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 12 noon.
• Kamagong Street (Eugenio Mejia to Yakal Street) in Barangay Bagong Ilog - on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 12 noon.
• The Emerald Avenue in Barangay San Antonio - from Saturday, 6 a.m. to Sunday, 9 p.m.
• Caruncho Avenue Westbound (Sped Linear Park to MH Del Pilar St.) in Barangay San Nicolas - from Saturday, 6 a.m. to Sunday, 6 p.m.

The Pasig City Hall Quadrangle was also opened for public use during the weekends.

On Sunday, Oct. 23, Sotto also shared a short video clip showing an aerial view of students conducting various activities at the Pasig City Hall Quadrangle.

“Speaking of open spaces, nice to see our City Hall Quadrangle being used by Pasigueño students even on weekends,” Sotto wrote in a tweet.

“Hindi siguro nila alam, pero pinaganda at binuksan natin ang quadrangle para sa kanila (Perhaps they don’t know, but we beautified and opened our quadrangle for them ),” he added.