Children’s Park in Suba reopens

CEBU, Philippines — After all the waiting, the Children’s Park in Barangay Suba fronting the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church in Cebu City has finally reopened yesterday after a massive reconstruction.

The park has long been in existence, according to the residents, until it was converted into a fish market.

During the 2013 earthquake, the fish market around the area sustained a major damage.

Instead of putting back the fish market, Mayor Michael Rama turned the site into a children’s park anew and inaugurated it in February 2016.

However, less than a year since it was established, the area lost its magic after Rama lost his bid for re-election. The park had not been maintained.

Later on, it was used as a fish market again until the late mayor Edgardo Labella ordered its temporary closure in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

When Rama got elected again as mayor last year, the restoration of the Children’s Park was one of the first projects he wanted to be done.

After six months, the 4,000 square-meter park came to life again. Engr. Apollo Enriquez of the AS Enriquez Engineering Consultancy was emotional to see it back with more improvements.

Enriquez said the entire construction, including the play area donated by PhilSeven Foundation Incorporated (7Eleven), cost from P5 million to P7 million.

Enriquez had mixed emotions as he recalled how his fruit of labor had been put to waste before.

But with Rama’s brand of governance, Enriquez said he did not hesitate to lead the effort to resurrect the Children’s Park.

Enriquez was thankful for the help of his friends and other companies like the Palawan Pawnshop as well as the PhilSeven Foundation, saying he could not do the job all alone.

An even emotional Rama told barangay officials and residents surrounding the revived Children‘s Park to protect the facility.

“I was emotional..Mao niy dapat lang..Naa gani anindot nga proyekto…ayaw ninyo ipaguba..kay kamo gyuy maguba!...Proyekto sa mga bata, nindot kaay pagkabutang, gub-on–iktima sa di mao nga pamulitika….Ayaw na ninyo ipa guba.ayaw pailisdi,” Rama said to the delight of hundreds of children and their parents waiting for the play round to re-open.

Rama said children’s parks are very valuable to children’s growth and formation.

PhilSeven’s Regional head Andrew Bravo agreed, saying not all learning happens inside the classroom.

Rama’s wife, Malou, who is a commissioner of the Parks and Playground Commission, appealed for everyone to take care of the facility so that many more children and even tourists will be able to enjoy it.

Rama also told the surrounding barangays, the Cebu City Police Office and other concerned offices to make sure the Children’s Park is always clean.

The mayor, who wanted to see more trees around the area, told Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia that the city needs more parks and open spaces. — (FREEMAN)