Rama warns parks, playground execs on maintenance

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has warned officials of the city's Parks and Playgrounds to address the situation of the Children's Park in San Nicolas after assessing it was marred with "damages.”

Last Tuesday, January 2,2024, Rama said he conducted a walkthrough from the San Nicolas proper to check the situation of the Children's Park.

"Kailangan i-confront jud na, kung di gani na ma control ma nga tangtang ng heads sa Parks and Playgrounds. Ma nga tangtang, ipang balhin nako," said Rama in an interview on “Ingna’ng Mayor,” a Cebu City Government online program.

Likewise, he reiterated the same call to the City Agriculture Office, adding that the Children's Park must not be abandoned.

According to Rama, the park was "invaded" by children and their parents, defeating its purpose when it was donated by the private sector.

"So luoy kaayo ang what was being contributed by the private sector, including the 7/11, so they have to confront it, and I am very bold and serious in my directives, fix it or lose your job," said Rama.

Aside from the said departments, Rama also called upon the cooperation of the barangay officials saying that there has been no organization in looking after the welfare of the park.

He said officials just ended "watching and seeing" the destruction which he considers “appalling."

Rama emphasized that parents must also take charge in imposing discipline on their children when utilizing a public space.

"Dili kay ang ka pobre, ang kakuwang sa ginganlan natong ilang kalihokan sa balay, dili gyud na rason nga gub-on nato ang para sa bata," said Rama.

It was back in July 2, 2023, when the Children’s Park in Barangay Suba fronting the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church in Cebu City finally reopened 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 major damage.

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

However, less than a year after it was established, the park already showed a lack in maintainance.

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