MANILA, AUGUST 21, 2013 – More than 80 stakeholders attended the Roxas Boulevard Park Presentation held Friday, August 16, as the Department of Tourism and Department of Public Works and Highways unveiled the park’s redevelopment plan to restore Manila, Parañaque and Pasay as viable capitals for tourism and business in the country.
“Roxas Boulevard Park project isn’t a beautification project; it’s a business plan aimed at enhancing Manila as a preferred destination in Philippines,” emphasized DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.
Leading the project is Architect Paulo Alcazaren, who was also the architect-in-charge for Ayala Boulevard and Iloilo Esplanade. The project initially includes clearing of debris, hardscape improvements, replacement of soil and planting of trees. Alcazaren noted many billboards and monuments spread out along Roxas Boulevard during their assessment, which is uncommon to most tourist sites in the world.
The first phase of the design development includes a proposed 3-meter wide walkway, 3-meter wide bikeway, raised planters with seat, planting strips, uniform paving plaza design, small plaza for existing monuments, 2.5-meter sidewalks and 90-degree parking slots. The current service road will also be developed as a commercial or shopping road. With this, DPWH will soon implement a security system similar to Makati-Ayala Central Business District.
“We want to convert Roxas Boulevard Park service roads as an events place, a strip of night cafes. Just imagine activities we could create,” said DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson. He emphasized that service roads will not be used as parking space.
Putting up a mall along the boulevard is also a consideration in this project. Having a shopping street broadens the revenue impact of the place and increases the value of property in the area.
The project is branded as a”redevelopment”because it aims to restore the boulevard and bring it back to its original purpose: to serve the pedestrians. It is also meant to provide impetus for further development by stakeholders, LGUs and people involved. This follows after Development Bank of the Philippines granted budget for the project.
Commenting on project spending, Alcazaren said: “Spending on development and maintenance of a public space gives us revenue in terms of business and tourism visits.”
The Roxas Boulevard Park redevelopment plan is only a part of the bigger tourism program for the country. DOT’s vision by 2016 embraces new airports leading to Entertainment City, a revived Roxas Boulevard Park and a revitalized Intramuros. “By that time, we’re back in business,” concluded Jimenez.
