Survey: Park habitués hail Luneta Waterfront DevelopmentProject

Luneta Park habitués welcome the construction of the Luneta Waterfront Development Project -- seeing this flagship project of the Estrada administration as a means of bringing back the glory days of the People's Park.

This came out in a survey conducted by Consultants for Engineering Science and Technology (CEST) which was included in the Luneta Waterfront Environmental Impact Study submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Philippine Tourism Authority General Manager Lito Banayo said the PTA is presently securing an environmental compliance certificate from the DENR for the Luneta Waterfront Project before starting its construction.

At the same time, Banayo reiterated that access is free. "There's no entrance fee, People from all walks of life do not need to pay a single centavo to be able to enter the facility, enjoy themselves and view the famous Manila Bay sunset right from the boardwalk," Banayo said in reaction to claims of some critics that people would have to pay to enter the Luneta Waterfront.

Of the 70 respondents polled, 78.7 percent said the Luneta Waterfront Project would be beneficial--citing positive impact on the environment, tourism and employment.

Only 11 persons felt that the project would have a negative impact. Eleven percent also refused to take a stand on whether the project will have a positive impact while an equal percentage also refused to answer the question on whether the project will have any negative impact.

Eighty two percent said the facility should have restaurants, souvenir shops, a tourist information center, etc. Seventy one percent also expected the project to improve the condition of existing facilities.

Eighty percent of the respondents are frequent visitors of Luneta with most of them (21) married and about 41 to 50 years old. They are also equally distributed across genders.

The profile of the respondents reveals that the typical park goer goes to Luneta at least once a month. Those who visit the park more than once a week are the regular visitors like tai-ichi practitioners, vendors, etc.

They go to the park for the following attractions, ranked in order of preference: sea breeze, sunset of Manila Bay and the children's playground.

The respondents also gave several suggestions like having sports facilities and additional facilities where children could play.

Barangay officials of the Ermita and Malate tourist belt areas also welcomed and expressed support for the project in a meeting on Sept. 17, 1999.

They see the project as timely, feeling that park-goers are bored with the existing amenities of Luneta.

Among other comments were: that the project will generate livelihood opportunities to their constituents; that their barangay be given priority for income opportunities to be generated; and that a comprehensive peace keeping scheme be set up for the project and its vicinity.