Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso led the inauguration of the Senior Citizens Park and Community Pet Park in Pandacan on Wednesday morning, August 12, seven months after breaking ground on the project in January.
The nearly one-hectare park in Pandacan was first broken ground in January 2026 as a joint undertaking of the City Government of Manila, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
Domagoso said the site had long been a source of dust and pollution for Pandacan residents, describing it as a barren, non-performing asset that posed health risks to the community.
The Mayor noted that residents were already benefiting from the new park, pointing to a senior citizen he saw exercising there shortly before the ceremony.
“Kanina may napansin kami ni (MMDA) Chairman Artes, mayroon na kaagad nakinabang sa senior citizen natin, may naglalakad doon na isa, ligtas, maayos, na siguro nag-e-exercise,” Domagoso said.
Domagoso thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for supporting the project despite their political differences: “Isinantabi niyo ‘yun, isinantabi ko ‘yun. Nagtulungan siya, binoto na Presidente, ako naman ibinalik niyong Mayor, may obligasyon sa Maynila.”
Domagoso also credited Robinsons Land for donating to the project and encouraged Pandacan barangay officials to help maintain and secure the park going forward.
Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon said the park was funded under the Local Government Support Fund’s (LGSF) “Green, Green, Green” program, calling it proof that national and local governments can accomplish meaningful projects when they work together.
“Ang ating park ay isang showcase, patunay na kapag ang national government at ang local government ay tunay na nagtutulungan, tayo po ay makagagawa ng mga meaningful programs and projects para sa ating mga kababayan,” De Leon said.
De Leon added that President Marcos continued to strengthen the LGSF this year under the slogan “Bawat Bayan Makikinabang,” noting Manila was also among the first cities to implement the president’s free rice program.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said the park was completed within the six-month timeline he and Domagoso had promised residents during the January groundbreaking.
“Kung inyong matatandaan, ito po ay parang ginagawang parking lamang. Maalikabok, puro debris lang, batuhan. Ngayon po, maipagmamalaki natin na pasyalan, maliwanag, maganda,” Artes said.
Artes said the MMDA matched the DBM’s funding for the project after Manila requested additional support, calling the park proof that national and local governments can accomplish projects “regardless of political affiliation.”
