Baclaran to become prime tourist destination

Forget about the stink of uncollected garbage, undisciplined vendors, snatchers, slashers and occasional grenade explosions, Baclaran in Parañaque may soon be a tourism buzz word.

This is the ambitious vision of the Parañaque City government and the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the thickly populated area on the boundary of Pasay, aiming to rid it of its bad image and make it "tourist-friendly."

DOT-National Capital Region plans acting chief Dolly Alvarado said initial projects in line with this vision will start this month with an P8-million park development project on the Roxas Boulevard service road of Baclaran.

"Gagawin namin siya na di lang pang-local, pang foreigners pa (We will turn it into something not only for locals but for foreigners, too)," said Alvarado.

Alvarado said they are yet to make a complete masterplan for the rehabilitation of Baclaran that will reach as far as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Roxas Boulevard, but this will cost a lot and take a long time. The landscape planning is reportedly being made by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Due to its overly congested population, Baclaran was once considered a potential terrorist bombing target. Robbers in the past lobbed grenades at pedestrians to clear their escape route.

After the park, next to be developed is the area’s hygiene and sanitation.

Eyed as the main tourist attraction of the area will be the 24-hour open Catholic Redemptorist Church and the vendor stalls, which will be organized into uniform sizes with presentable appearance.

"The stalls will be selling at competitive prices but with quality. Tatak Pinoy, cheap but with quality," said Alvarado.

Also envisioned to rise in the area are food stalls reportedly similar to those in Thailand.These food stalls will not be your ordinary carinderia because they will guarantee hygiene and sanitation," added the DOT official. Overseeing the project is DOT director Reynato Chua and Parañaque executive assistant to Mayor Joey Marquez, Mar Jimenez.

Alvarado said they do not expect stiff opposition to their plans from the vendors’ organizations. – Jose Aravilla