SB bridge links environment to communities

The Quezon City government, the ABS-CBN Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan and the Metropolitan Water Sewerage System (MWSS) inaugurated yesterday a steel bridge that practically links the 33-hectare La Mesa Ecopark to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., assisted by foundation managing director Gina Lopez and MWSS administrator Orlando Hondrade, cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Sustaining Biodiversity (SB) bridge.

Also present during the affair were Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, Council majority leader Ariel Inton and officials from MWSS and Barangay East Fairview, led by Barangay Captain Jose Arnel Quebal.

Belmonte said the revival of the park is part of the clean and green program of the city government, which is being carried out in coordination with the private sector.

"La Mesa is the crown jewel of all parks in Quezon City," the mayor said.

He cited the effort of Bantay Kalikasan, ABC-CBN Foundation’s environmental arm, in spearheading the rehabilitation of the park.

With the opening of the SB bridge, the word-class park is now just five minutes away from one of Quezon City’s major highways.

"The direct beneficiary of the park are city residents," Belmonte said.

The rehabilitated ecological park features hiking and biking trails, a boating area, a swimming pool, an orchidarium and a lagoon. People can jog or hike on an 800-meter trail in a densely forested area.

"With the joint effort of the private sector, the city government and MWSS, La Mesa Dam has been transformed into an attractive recreation area," Belmonte said.

Apart from La Mesa Dam, the city government, MWSS and Manila Water have also restored the 50-year-old Balara Filtration Plant, which had been a favorite recreation area in the early ’50s. The park has a mini amphitheater, a children’s playground and a swimming pool.