MAY 03, 2002

MANILA - The Philippine capital is literally becoming a concrete jungle as parks and open spaces, some of them historical, are demolished to give way to airport facilities or car parks.

The Banaue rice terraces are featured at a doomed Manila park showing top tourist spots in miniature. -- NAYONG PILIPINO FOUNDATION

On June 3, Nayong Pilipino or Philippine Village - a theme park depicting the country's top tourist spots in miniature - will be shut down.

One fifth of the park area is required to accommodate access roads and the parallel taxiway of a new international airport being constructed nearby.

'Parks give people the breathing space they need. But there's nothing we can do because those projects are required by aviation security,' said Ms Charito Planas, executive director of the government foundation running the park.

While the government is considering the redevelopment of the profitable Nayong Pilipino, airport authorities recently suggested they might need the rest of the park's area for a planned cargo terminal.

Established 30 years ago on a former garbage dump, Nayong Pilipino showcases the different regions in the country and was the model for Indonesia's Taman Mini park.

About 100,000 people visit the park each month and gross income amounted to 11 million pesos (S$397,000) last year.

'For Filipinos, it is a fun place to acquaint the children with their country. And for Metro Manila residents who want some space, fresh air and greenery, it is a refuge from the concrete jungle,' said journalist and long-time Manila resident Neal Cruz.

But because of what conservationists regard as a manifestation of the 'edifice complex' of some government executives, the Philippine capital is fast losing its open spaces and even its historical sites and landmarks.

'Government officials owe it to the poor, who do not live in subdivisions and thus have no gardens and parks, to maintain open spaces for their use.

'It is also the duty of the government to preserve and protect the heritage of the country,' said conservationist Bambi Harper.

Despite public protests, the city government of Manila last year demolished Mehan Garden, a botanical garden established in 1860 by the Spaniards. In its place stand a city college and a commercial parking area.

The Jai-Alai building in Manila, noted for its turn-of-the-century American architecture, was also torn down in favour of a new court house.

'Green places like Mehan Garden should be respected and maintained as part of Manila's historic cultural heritage,' said Dr Pablo Trillana of the National Historical Institute.

'Not only do these green spaces add historical character to the city, they also enhance Manila's qualities as a livable and ecology-friendly metropolis.'
 

City govt's edifice complex

• DESPITE public protests, the city government of Manila last year demolished Mehan Garden, a botanical garden established in 1860 by the Spaniards, to build a college and a car park.
   
• The Jai-Alai building in Manila, noted for its turn-of-the-century American architecture, was torn down in favour of a new court house.
   
• Even the bayside Rizal Park is crammed with concrete structures.
   
• There are plans to clear the Arroceros Forest Park to build a teachers' dormitory.

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