By Daisy Jane Apit
Davao Today intern
DAVAO CITY – The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) here would fence off a public park here from shady juvenile and adult transactions that has sparked the ire of city government officials.
Dolly Renojo, acting Cenro chief, said one fourth of the total rehabilitation, including the fence, hasbeen completed at the Osmena Park at the edge of a major downtown block.
“Although naa ta naga-monitor, dili gyud 24 hours nga nakabantay mi. Total rehabilitation para controlled siya tungod kay naay illegal na nahitabo. Gi-fenced siya, para controlled ang mga tao, kung unsa silang oras musulod, unsa oras mugawas. Ma-mitigate ug mastop tong mga illegal activities (Although we have monitoring personnel there, we can not not guard it for 24 hours. We need total rehabilitation because there are illegal acts there. We fenced it to control the entry of people and to stop illegal activities),” Renojo added.
A City Hall officer said bystanders, both adult and minors pulled out sexual acts at the nooks of the Osmena Park, often at night. The park is commonly the favorite rest and recreation of elders and other persons waiting for the processing of their documentary requirements at the City Council and City Hall nearby.
“Almost 60 percent na atong landscaping pero kadto atoang whole rehabilitation sa park kay one fourth pa gyud ta (We are 60 percent done with landscaping but we are still one fourth of the way from the whole rehabilitation of the park). The rehabilitation includes landscaping, fencing, new construction of septic tanks and comfort rooms, land filling and lightings,” Renojo told the regular Thursday I-Speak forum at the City Hall.
She said her office presented a resolution to request a 24-hour security by the Task Force Davao and their office would be the field office of Cenro at the park.
The new Osmeña Park will adapt similar rules and regulations being implemented at the premier People’s Park. It will open at 7:00 am, then close at 11:00 p.m.
“If you follow the rules and regulations and policies sa park, dapat talaga walang ganyan but the final say is in the mayor,” Renojo said regarding the issue on booting out the masseurs and illegal vendors from the park.
However, it would be the Park Board that will decide on it.
The Davao City Parks Board is chaired by City Mayor Duterte with City Administrator Atty. Melchor Quitain, as vice-chairperson, and the Cenro as the acting office of the board.
Sheds for chess and dama, a local version of the chess game, would not be removed but will only be relocated to the park near Cenro’s field office.
Cenro allotted P500,000 for the rehabilitation of Osmeña Park. The Royal Mandaya and the Alcantara and Sons (Alsons) company also donated 300 sacks of cement while the paint is donated by Davis Paint.
“Wala na siya’y same facilities sa People’s Park. Hinay-hinay sa lang ta, kung unsay maigo sa budget (There are no similar facilities with those at the People’s Park. We have to go slow if there is extra in the budget),” she said.
Park restoration began in mid-April and it is expected to be completed by July before the Kadayawan Festival. “People can expect a greener, illegal-free, and an environmental friendly park,” Renojo said.
Cenro would also rehabilitate and check the maintenance of other public city parks like the Centennial, Millennium Park in front of the City Council building, the Freedom Park along Roxas Avenue, and one in Toril. (davaotoday.com)
