Mayor Benjamin Magalong assured transparency in his administration amid opposing views during the public consultation on a proposed parking building supposed to be developed on a city-owned lot beside the Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School (MLQES) in Barangay Military Cut-off.
The public consultation was held April 17 at the PFVR gymnasium for the city government to present its parking building proposal.
The city government plans to build a multi-level parking structure with green architecture over the 260,000-square meter area.
Architect Ellaine Ganga of the City Buildings and Architecture Office said the building design will have a futsal sports area at the roof deck of the building to cater to students; a living wall or plants and greeneries to serve as carbon dioxide filter; a water harvesting facility and water recycling system to run the building; solar-powered facility; and smart system parking using applications to pre-book parking slots before entering the building and avoid waiting in long lines, thereby lessening traffic congestion in the area.
Atty. Rhenan Diwas of the City Environment and Parks Management Office talked about carbon emission sequestration by lessening the volume of vehicles going around the city roads looking for possible parking spaces.
“Imagine the amount of fuel combusted to the air with the number of vehicles going round and round city roads looking for parking, compared to having a parking lot where they can park and turn off their engine,” Diwas said.
Most of the participants objected to the proposed project.
Former MLQES principal Ligaya Annawi along with the concerned citizens, the school administration and the parent and teachers’ association, opposed the city’s plan, citing ecological and environmental impacts as well as the welfare of students.
She added the open space serves as an evacuation area of the surrounding educational institutions in cases of emergency.
The public consultation ended with an assurance from the mayor that all sentiments and public opinions will be considered by the city government. – Jessa Mardy Samidan
May 5, 2024
