Showcasing Marikina’s Pocket Parks: A Short Post

When I was young, I always thought that most parts of Metro Manila had pocket parks like Marikina. Later on, I found out I was wrong. Sad to say, the stereotypical image of Metro Manila as a dirty, urban sprawl with little or no green space is indeed true. Marikina, on the other hand, has some characteristics that challenge the common perception of Metro Manila – its public parks.

I cannot really describe the history of how the city ensured the existence of pocket parks, but I think the land usage of the city and the progressive stances of its previous mayor, Bayani Fernando played a vital role. For those unfamiliar, Marikina is home to many subdivisions – but not the exclusive, gated type with snobbish people (hehe). Because of this, most areas have a designated public park, usually with a basketball court. Marikina during the time of Fernando had a quasi-socialist stance, promoting people-oriented infrastructure: sidewalks, bicycle lanes (sadly many are now in disrepair), and parks. These parks were placed under the city’s Parks Development Office – an office that continues to operate to this day.

A newly-installed playground at the Liwasang Kalayaan (2021)

The Roman garden, a portion of the Marikina River Park

Liwasang Kalayaan in Marikina Heights, improved in 2019

While not a grand as other parks both here and abroad, the Liwasang Kalayaan (literally “Freedom Park”) in Marikina Heights one of the largest parks in the city. This is probably because this area was the last to be developed, hence it did not experience rapid urbanization unlike the barangays near the Marikina river.

Marikina also hosts many “pocket parks”, pocket parks around 100 sq. meters, enough to have around 10-15 trees and 4-5 benches as shown in the photo above.

Here are other pocket parks in Marikina:

The last photo is actually a newly-developed park that was once an old school building. It’s rare to see buildings demolished to become a park. Usually, the reverse is more common: open spaces “developed” into buildings.

Despite this, I believe the entire metropolis needs more parks. These pocket parks are mere dots when plotted on a map of NCR.

Government data shows that out of NCR’s 55,922.22 hectares, only 21 percent (12,152.79 hectares) are considered “green space” – quotation marks added since these green spaces include privately-owned golf courses.

Thus, having pocket parks are a godsend especially in the urban jungle of Metro Manila. I fervently hope more LGUs make way for parks like these especially if we are to promote outdoor activities (as they are safer) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project IWASTO Participates in IM4ManilaBay Initial Assessment Presentation Webinar

Project IWASTO joined the environmental campaign of its umbrella program, the IM4ManilaBay Program, on April 16.

Titled “Manila Bay Conversations: Initial Findings and Assessment from the IM4ManilaBay Program”, the webinar presented the initial outputs of the Integrated Mapping, Monitoring, Modelling, and Management System for Manila Bay and Linked Environments (IM4ManilaBay) Program. 

Project IWASTO presented the result of its review of solid waste management policies, along with information gathered from the numerous focus group discussions done with local government units (LGUs), barangay officials, residents, and non-government organizations (NGOs). “We came to understand that sustainable solid waste management is attainable through the collaboration of stakeholders from various sectors,” the project said in a statement.

Prof. Maria Antonia Tanchuling, Project Leader of IWASTO, concluded the discussion by stating that the project IWASTO is developing a database for SWM facilities, continuing consultations with relevant national government agencies (NGAs), and ensuring the sustainability of its outputs. “Kailangan naming malatag nang maayos ang imprastraktura na magagamit for sustainability purposes. Ayaw naming na ito ang isang proyekto lamang na kapag tapos na kami, tapos na ang funding ng DOST, in two years wala nang users at [tinabi] nalang ang nagawa namin” (We want to lay out the infrastructure that would be used [taking into mind its sustainability]. We don’t want that when this project ends, when the funding from DOST ends, our outputs will just be shelved.) Prof. Tanchuling said.

IWASTO’s presentation ended on a note that their efforts will continue, and coordination with NGAs will be sustained.

The IM4ManilaBay webinar was not only filled with presentations from the component projects but was also graced by the opening remarks of its guests from government offices: DOST Secretary Sec. Fortunato de la Peña, Ms. Aleya Carmela Arca of the DILG Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program, and Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City LGU. Engr. Ces Abad from Project IWASTO served as its emcee.

 

Engr. Ces Abad of IWASTO (left), and Mayor Vico Sotto of Pasig City (right)

Call for Support

DOST Sec. de la Peña, one of the distinguished guests, reiterated his call for public support to the research and development efforts of the country’s researchers from higher education institutes.

“In the coming years, we will further strengthen our efforts to reduce environmental pollution and provide greater access to clean and safe water by generating environmentally sound game-changing technologies and policies. We encourage our researchers, policymakers, key stakeholders, and the general public to support and implement these kinds of initiatives and projects which are aimed at achieving the sustainable development goals through innovative and integrated solutions,” he said in a message to participants.

The webinar was concluded with a message from Dr. Eric Paringit of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) and is the current funding agency of the IM4ManilaBay Program. The program is implemented by units under the College of Engineering, University of the Philippines – Diliman.

Scattered Opinions on COVID-19: Changes in Work, Reopening, Et Cetera

The 2020 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic changed many facets of how the world operates. From lockdowns to the so-called “new normal”, the pandemic has left permanent changes that are already causing strife, economic decline, and poverty. There are small, short-term positive gains for the environment and some people.  It is sad to know that 2.2 million have already died, and as countries grapple this death count is sure to continue increasing. COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to everyone unless you are in isolated areas or in countries that fought off the pandemic.

I believe that humanity can move forward and maximize the situation to improve society. I’m not saying COVID-19 is a good thing, but it already happened, and lest we use this situation to finally enact some long-due changes in how we move, communicate, and do business. Here are some opinions in my mind about the current COVID-19 situation:

Permanent Changes: Telecommuting Must be Part of “New Normal”

I sincerely believe that telecommuting – the formal term for “work-from-home arrangements” should continue for a good number of workers even if the pandemic ends. Of course I’m referring to those who can do partial telecommuting – workers whose nature of work requires only a solid PC (companies should provide) and good internet connection. (Obviously, telecommuting is not viable for manufacturing and similar sectors.)

What are the benefits? Traffic improves. Less carbon footprint is emitted (especially from managers who are stereotyped as SUV/gas guzzler users). Metro Manila could use a breather. Its horrendous traffic is a vicious cycle that won’t stop until both government and private sectors agree that a combined approach of increasing public transportation while controlling the surge of car sales is a good solution. (This is another topic though.)

Sadly, the Philippines is far from ready for mass telecommuting. Only select areas with decent internet could afford a continuous work-from-home experience. Reputable broadsheet Philippine Star reported that the Philippines has the slowest broadband internet in Southeast Asia. Conservative offices also resist these changes as they prefer traditional work cultures. Sometimes, prejudiced viewpoints on technology and millennial/Gen Z workers play a role.

A lot of things will have to be done to institute these changes.

Re-Opening of Laboratorie

Empty chairs in an empty student center of a university in the Philippines.

This is an unpopular opinion of mine. For many students in Metro Manila, their “normal” student life suddenly ended on March 10, 2020 when Community Quarantine was imposed. This is different from the Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ which started on March 15. In this quarantine, everything remained normal except for schools, which were suspended. It was like the prelude to the infamous “ECQ” lockdown.

Here in Metro Manila, General Community Quarantine is almost the same as the original “community quarantine” of March 10-15, except for some capacity restrictions in public transportation. While the ECQ did prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed, it unfortunately tanked our economy. Online classes are not as conducive as physical classes, especially for students with limited access to the internet!

I certainly believe that if the government allows dangerous indoor dining in restaurants and malls (even food courts, imagine a petri dish of viruses!), then they should also allow limited face to face classes in university laboratories! This will be complicated though, but for universities with dormitories (e.g. UP Diliman) arrangements could be made.

I think the government will not prioritize this because the education sector is not only underprioritized but also because allowing laboratory classes won’t make much of an economic impact (i.e. GDP). But for canteens, ambulant vendors, and other businesses near universities, any influx of people could revive their businesses. I am hoping the government considers this.

On another aspect, I think libraries (do many places have them though?) should be allowed to reopen. Unlike indoor food courts, libraries are places where people are forbidden to talk, eat, and drink (no mask removal needed, and fewer droplets exhaled due to these prohibitions).

End of the World? Nah “Beginning of Sorrows” is better

I find it funny that some religious sects tout this pandemic as a sign of the end of the world. Sometimes they ignore that openly secular, non-religious countries such as Vietnam, Taiwan, and New Zealand survived the pandemic unscathed. While crises like this pandemic is a sign of the “end times”, Christians generally believe that strife, wars, and crises are simply the “beginning of sorrows” (c.f. Matthew 24:8 KJV)

Sadly, misplaced faith is driving the spread of COVID-19 in some places. People openly defy safety protocols because of their misplaced belief that their god will protect them. They are doing things that are tantamount to testing god.

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Just a final reminder, always follow the safety protocols. Let’s hope for the best this 2021!