MAYOR SEEKS COMMUNITY COOPERATION ON UPKEEP OF BAYAN PARK

May 11, 2025 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

Mayor Benjamin Magalong sought the cooperation of the communities surrounding the newly rehabilitated Bayan Community Park in the upkeep of its facilities and environs. “We trust the residents of all the 13 barangays to help the city in taking care of this park. This is your community park and your participation in preserving it will go a long way in ensuring that it can be enjoyed by the residents for a long time,” the mayor said. He said that while the construction took longer than expected, the result turned out remarkably well. “We are thankful for all those responsible for the remarkable development of the park,” he said.

The park located at Bayan Park Village in Aurora Hill was unveiled last May 8. Lawyer Rhenan Diwas, head of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) which spearheaded the rehabilitation assured free access to the park except at the camping site where patrons should register with the CEPMO office for scheduling and payment of a minimal user’s fee. The park’s operating hours will be from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. There were rules to be followed in the recreation areas such as the sunken children’s playground, outdoor
calisthenics facilities, family-friendly picnic areas, community outdoor amphitheater, jogging paths and the skateboarding area.

The park is “a green space designed to promote health, recreation, and community connection,” according to Diwas. It was a flagship project of the city that aims to bring quality parks closer to people’s homes, he added. The project began in 2022 and was undertaken in two phases. The first phase focused on the construction of a 340- square meter sunken playground and the 580-square meter calisthenics and outdoor gym within the two-hectare park area while the second phase involved the construction of an outdoor amphitheater for
community events, a skatepark for skateboarding and comfort rooms.

The project construction was met with challenges resulting in delays but what is important now is the city pulled through with a remarkable output, the mayor said. The mayor said the project was pursued with an aim to transform the quaint barangay park into a vibrant community promenade center that serves not only as “carbon sink” or breather from pollution of the community but also as the
recreational, relaxation and wellness haven of residents. “Bayan Park will serve as the benchmark for all community parks that we hope to establish in the city under our ‘parks-for-all’ program,” Magalong said.

The program’s vision is for every citizen to have access to a quality community park — a breathing space — within ten minutes by foot as an indicator of an improving quality of life in the city. With the Bayan Park model, the city will endeavor to improve existing community parks like the Aguinaldo Park and build new ones in Mines View to provide residents their own community park apart from the existing tourist spot, Bakakeng and others with available spaces. All will serve as carbon sink or “lungs” of the communities. Diwas said the park’s development plan was anchored on striking a balance between preserving the ecosystem and providing the recreational, relaxation and wellness needs of the people.

As part of the strategic plan, planting of tree saplings in designated areas of the park was done. On the build-up areas, he said removing the green cover was inevitable to give way for the structures that will house the amenities for enjoyment by the park goers. Landscaping and planting of ornamental plants and greenery is incorporated in the outdoor facilities. Diwas said all the structures were planned and properly designed in conformity with the area’s topography which is a hilly slope. The community park will benefit 13 barangays around: Ambiong, Aurora Hill Proper, West Modernsite, Bayan Park Village, South Central, North Central, Leonila Hill, San Antonio Village, East Modernsite, Honeymoon-Holy Ghost, Brookside, East Bayan Park and Brookspoint.

APR/Baguio-PIO