The Makati City local government and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) unveiled on Tuesday, Feb. 21, three new parks that are part of the Adopt-A-Park project aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental awareness to the public.
The event was attended by MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, MMDA Deputy Chairman Undersecretary Frisco San Juan Jr., Makati City Administrator Atty. Claro Certeza, and other officials.
The three parks -- EDSA-Buendia Park, EDSA-Pinagkaisahan Park, and Magallanes Interchange Phase A - Mini Park, have a combined lot area of 3,000 square meters and were designed by the Department of Environmental Services of Makati City.
Artes said the improvement of these parks will allow for social interactions and family gatherings for those who live in Makati City.
“These parks could give the residents of Makati the opportunity to spend quality time among members of the families and communities," said Artes, adding that the agency is in constant coordination with the Makati City Government for future projects.
Certeza, for his part, thanked the MMDA for its initiatives to provide open spaces in the city.
"On behalf of Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail "Abby" Binay, we wish to express our gratitude to the MMDA for this wonderful project. We will do our best to protect and preserve these beautiful parks for the benefit of my fellow Makatizens," Certeza said.
The three parks, which were turned over to the Makati City government, have landscaping designs and hardscape features such as concrete floor paving and benches.
The Adopt-A-Park project was created in 2021 by former MMDA Chairman and now Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr aimed at developing under-utilized parks in Metro Manila cities by improving their usability and transforming them into functional green parks.
Under the project, the local government unit shall propose the location, design, and cost estimate, while the MMDA sets the criteria for site selection, provides funding, and implements the construction of the project.