The Pasig City local government and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) opened the newly-constructed pocket or mini park near the Pasig Ferry Station in Barangay Kalawaan on Tuesday, Oct. 3.
The new park serves as a sitting and resting area for visitors walking along the riverside and for passengers who are waiting to board the Pasig Ferry.
It is decorated with stylized wooden chairs and tables under a pergola or a set of vertical pillars supporting cross-beams that provide some shade. The grass is laid with paver bricks, arranged alternately in order to not cover the greenery of the whole ground.
Vice Mayor Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr., Rep. Roman Romulo, Councilor Quin Cruz representing Mayor Vico Sotto, MMDA Chairman Don Artes, and MMDA Undersecretary Frisco San Juan graced the inauguration.
Jaworski expressed his gratitude and support to the MMDA for leading the rehabilitation and construction of the project to aid the city's greening policy and multiplying green spaces in Pasig.
"Tinutulak natin ang isang direksyon, under the leadership ni Mayor Vico, na baguhin at bigyang inspirasyon ang ating mga kababayan na mapaganda ang kanilang buhay, (We are pushing towards a direction, under the leadership of Mayor Vico, to change and inspire our citizens to improve their lives), and it starts by changing the environment they live in," Jaworski said.
Councilor Cruz assured the officials and residents that the local government fully supports these beautification projects, especially to highlight the importance of the Pasig River.
Artes said more than 30 parks in Metro Manila have been built and will continue to be built as the agency collaborates with local governments to build more parks in available lots.
The MMDA is eyeing another park at the Barangay Manggahan Floodway in Pasig City, he said, with the plans already presented to Rep. Romulo. It is expected to be inaugurated by the second quarter of 2024 after three to six months of construction.
Artes said the agency is committed to cooperating on more projects with the Pasig City local government and Rep. Romulo's Office to create parks and green spaces for the physical health and mental well-being of citizens.