Bracing for population growth and boom in commerce amid limited spaces, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso is appealing to the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to relax its rules on esteros and creeks.
Speaking during the Senate local government committee briefing, Domagoso said that he and other local government unit officials are appealing to concerned government agencies, which have authority over these esteros and creeks, to allow them to conduct redevelopment of the waterways.
“The LGUs cannot do any job on esteros and creeks, which is under the supervision of the MMDA and authority of the DENR,” Moreno said.
The mayor said that LGU officials only obligation with regards to these waterways is to ensure people will not throw garbage in them to ensure their cleanliness.
Domagoso also agreed to lead the initiative in taking care of esteros and creeks. He said LGUs wish to utilize open spaces like esteros and creeks in their respective municipalities and cities especially those coming from highly-urbanized cities in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao.
In Manila, Domagoso said he wants to embark on several projects on the city’s waterways. He said they plan to use the spaces around and above them.
In redeveloping the waterways, the Manila mayor said that they would leave open spaces for cleaning and clearing operations.
He also made a guarantee that the redevelopment projects will not adversely affect the environment.
The mayor added that they plan to build a cantilever where there will still be a river and a service road.
A cantilever is a beam supported at one end while carrying a load at the other end or distributed along the unsupported portion.
“I can create perpendicular space to the road or perpendicular parking on both sides. If I have 200 meter linear meter of creek or river, I can create 50 meters of space another 50 meter parking space, another 50 meter open space, 50 meter vending space,” he said.
Domagoso admitted that what they intend to do with the esteros in creeks in Manila, the nation’s capital, was not an original concept and are copied from different cities especially those in Europe.
“This is not my original idea. It’s a copycat of what they’re doing in other countries, but ours would be more innovative to address the challenges existing in our place,” said Domagoso who has brought significant changes to the city which has been lagging behind its nearby cities due to apparent mismanagement and neglect.
He said the city also plans to develop the Estero de Muelle de Binondo in Juan Luna, Binondo.
“If we will be allowed to do this kind of concept, everything in Juan Luna will be transferred to Muelle de Binondo as there will be more spaces,” he said.
The mayor said that there will be spaces for the parking of vehicles since there’s no parking spaces along Juan Luna Street.
The former garbage collector and sidecar drived from Tondo disclosed that before he was elected as mayor, he already has in mind the transformation of Muelle de Binondo as part of his dream for Manila.
Muelle de Binondo, which is located the country’s first central district, has a parkinjg space, service road and recreation area.
Domagoso said the project is part his 10-year development plan for Manila which has been submerged in urban decay due to uneven trash collection and street anarchy, among others, when he assumed the mayoral seat.
“Wala pang nagagawa. This is just one month and seven days so we have a 10-year plan, a vertical development social amelioration plan which is immediate and short term. We are still far from truth,” he said.
“We are just starting, but what we’re trying to do is put up a foundation to give clear direction for every citizen who will pass by Manila,” added Moreno, whom the senators took turns in commending for serving as “shining example and inspiration” to all other LGU officials.
The former actor-turned-politician who was been hailed as a “rockstar,” plans to turn Manila into a modern business hub to entice multi-billion investments.
Moreno recently met with the country’s “Who’s Who” in Forbes Magazine, who asked him what they can do to help Manila.
He said these top conglomerates wanted to invest in Manila, but asked them to ensure that 70 percent of their manpower should be Manila residents.
With jobs for Manileños, the once-poor boy from the slums of Tondo believes there will be a significant reduction in street crimes like robbery holdup, snatching and pickpockets, among others.