Saving Arroceros

Rodney Artida

With more than 3,000 trees and species of birds housed, arguably the Arroceros Park is called the ‘Manila’s Last Lung’. This 24-year-old park was born when Winner Foundation leased out this 2.2-hectare property adjacent to Pasig River from the city government of Manila.
Originally it was part of the settlement of Parian Community outside Intramuros. it was a place where rice was sold during early Spanish period. A tobacco factory was built here during the American occupation until it was transformed into a military garrison. After World War Two, the garrison became the home of Department of Education before it moved to its present location in Pasig City.
The park has been repurposed by Winner Foundation into a sanctuary and oasis in the middle of the busy and bustling capitol. The foundation according to its president Chiqui Sy-Quia Mabanta entered a Memorandun of Agreement with city of Manila ‘the right to develop and maintain the Arroceros Forest Parkuntilnit would be ready to turn over to City of Manila for maintenance of the park. Arroceros Park’s area was bigger before but developments in its east portion was carried out during then Mayor Lito Atienza term. He wanted to put the up structures for the city school division despite the fact that the National Museum uncovered Chinese relics in the construction site. The future of the park remains uncertain as Mayor Joseph Estrada have plans to redevelop the area as a site for the city’s gymnasium.

So why save Arroceros Park?
Green spaces are important for a city as they reduce air pollution, support biodiversity, and essential for flood prevention. It is critical for the city of Manila to save the park not just for the historical significance of Arroceros but as an environmental sustainability measure.
Currently the Winner Foundation is still fighting to declare Arroceros as a tree park. As the city government is required under the law to the preservation of permanent forests, tree parks and watersheds that make up at last two percent of the city’s size. Luneta is a national park therefore making the Arroceros Park as the city’s last frontier.