CITY Mayor Jane Yap led the blessing of the new Tagbilaran City Kids Green Park fronting the City Central Market. Mayor Yap in her message said that it is one of her advocacy and vision to make Tagbilaran a green city.
“Parks would reinforce Tagbilaran’s stance to be a haven for families. This initiative is crucial in sustaining the health of our environment. These green areas will be a safe space to nurture trees. Forests and trees are the lungs of our planet, drawing in carbon dioxide and breathing out oxygen. We will need more trees to help us combat the effects of global warming and climate change,” emphasized Mayor Jane Yap.
The Tagbilaran City Kids Green Park is part of the roll-out of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) “Green, Green, Green,” a unique assistance program that aims to make the country’s 145 cities more livable and sustainable through the development of public open spaces.
“Green, Green, Green” is a component of the Duterte administration’s massive national infrastructure development program, “Build, Build, Build”.
P2.5 billion has been appropriated for the program in the 2018 national budget. The allocation for each city was computed based on their respective population counts and land area measurements.
“Green, Green, Green” will help city governments create forest parks, arboretum, and botanical gardens; improve livability of urban areas through various activities and methods such as landscaping, turfing, and tree planting; and transform streetscapes through installation of eco-friendly street furniture, fixtures, and shading.
In addition, the city governments will increase connectivity and accessibility of public open spaces by creating bike lanes and walkways, and enhance sustainability through the construction of green infrastructure like bioswales and pervious surfaces, which aid during rainy season and flooding. (Jeanette Busano)
