North reclamation park SM eyed to develop Block 27

The Cebu City government is eyeing a partnership with SM to develop Block 27 at the North Reclamation Area into a park.

“I had a talk with Hans Sy right at the site with SM personalities, and we asked for their help under the People Privately-Driven Governance to develop Block 27 into a multi-purpose area. We can make it into an open space or a park, or a temporary shelter in case of a calamity,” said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday.

Rama said he wants more parks and open spaces in the city and Block 27 can be developed into one.

Yesterday, Rama and other city officials and representatives from SM inspected the city-owned Block 27, which is a two-hectare lot area near SM.

He said SM can benefit from the plan since they can use the area for any activity that will need a huge space.

He said this can also benefit the city since the city needs more parks and open spaces.

Aside from developing Block 27, Rama said he has also instructed Cebu City Rivers Management Council (CCRMC) head Jose Daluz III to recover the sidewalk and easement along Mahiga Creek which is near Block 27.

Rama and Daluz were accompanied by City Engineer Jose Marie Poblete, City Administrator Lucelle Mercado, Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (Probe) team head Raquel Arce and the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) officials.

“It’s very incumbent that they now bring back the sidewalk and the 3-meter easement in Mahiga. It should be considered an entry point and window into the city,” Rama said.

For his part, Daluz said recovering the sidewalk would mean raising it up so that it can also act as a buffer to prevent overflowing in the Mahiga Creek.

“We will start with the sidewalk there. We will recover three to five meters. This will be an emergency and preparation for any eventuality,” Daluz said.

He said they will have to remove the structures within the easement which are mostly ambulant vendors goods and other light structures.

The first phase for the project will start at the area near APM Mall and will end at the city’s Septage Treatment Plant, where the city’s improvement of the sidewalk has started.

Daluz said they target to start clearing by next week and hope to complete the project including the park at Block 27 before Sinulog next year.

The budget for the project will be taken from the P30 million remaining approved budget for the Mahiga Creek improvement for this year.