The ordinance passed almost 10 years ago institutionalizing the “adopt-a-park” project was not fully implemented, according to a legislative monitoring and evaluation status report submitted to Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan.
The report stated that Ordinance 49, s. 2011 also provides guidelines for the identification, maintenance, responsibilities, and other details in the effective and efficient implementation of the project, which the City Environment and Parks Management Office under then acting chief Moises Lozano has been tasked to implement.
In his letter dated Sept. 30, 2019, Lozano said almost all adopted parks, except the area at the Botanical-Centennial Park adopted by the Philippine Mining and Safety Engineers Association, were neglected and not sustained by the concerned adoptors.
Lozano said as provided in their memorandum of agreement with the city, the adoptors should improve/develop and assist the city government in the maintenance of their adopted areas.
He claimed that at present, Cepmo personnel are maintaining the adopted parks that were neglected and not sustained.
Lozano also recommended that all MOAs that have expired and not renewed should be terminated; all signboards erected by the park adoptors in their respective areas should be removed to be consistent with Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s directive; and more stringent measures should be adopted and enforced to attain the noble objective of the adopt-a-park program.
The report listed seven city parks including Bayan Park, Botanical-Centennial Park, Burnham Park, Mines View Park, Panagbenga Park, Post Office Loop and Valenzuela Park. The larger parks were divided into several areas.
There are presently 16 adoptors.
The report also recommended the amendment of several sections of the ordinance and a provision for the allotment of funds for the conduct of a “best-adopt-a-park” search. – Gaby B. Keith
April 19, 2024
