The lost historic Plaza Rizal will once again be accessible to the public as Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan fulfills his campaign promise to re-open the plaza on Friday, July 14.
The old plaza was said to be donated during the American period by the veteran and philanthropist Don Santiago Araneta in memory of his son and was considered one of the most elegant plazas at the time. It was also used as a space for recreation by the locals until it was turned into a mixed-use complex with commercial establishments.
Efforts to re-open Plaza Rizal were initiated by the former mayor and now District 1 Representative Oscar “Oca” Malapitan were continued and are now finalized by Mayor Along.
The local chief executive declared that Plaza Rizal is one of the cultural treasures of Caloocan which is why its re-opening is one of his key campaign promises. He also emphasized that economic development must not sacrifice the heritage left to the city.
“Ang Plaza Rizal po ay isa sa mga nawalang bahagi ng ating kasaysayan sa Caloocan na sinikap nating ibalik at mas pagandahin pa. Ngayon, tinutupad ko na po ang pangako ko sa inyo noong kampanya. Ibinabalik na ng pamahalaang lungsod ang nawalang plaza sa tapat ng simbahan para sa lahat ng Batang Kankaloo,” Mayor Along said.
“Walang masama sa pag-unlad, pero mahalaga na sa ating pag-unlad, huwag natin tanggalin ang mga ipinamana sa atin ng ating mga ninuno,” the Mayor stated.
Mayor Along also called everyone to also take care of Plaza Rizal and vowed to continue protecting the city’s open areas for the benefit of the youth.
“Kasabay po ng muling pagbubukas ng Plaza Rizal, layunin din nating tuloy-tuloy na paunlarin ang ating open, green spaces para sa kaayusan at kalinisan ng bawat komunidad sa lungsod,” Mayor Along stated.
“Minsan na pong nawala sa atin ang plaza, kaya ngayon magtulungan tayong lahat na alagaan ito dahil isa ito sa mga rason kung bakit ipinagmamalaki natin na makasaysayan ang Caloocan,” he added.