6 big-ticket infra projects under way for more ‘magnificent’ Manila

SAME CITY, NEW DIGS Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna says six big projects will lay the foundation for the city’s future

A Manila that would make not only its residents proud, but all Filipinos. This is the future that awaits “Magnificent Manila,” as the city continues to work toward establishing its six flagship infrastructure projects designed to change the capital’s landscape: the New Pritil Market, San Andres Sports Complex and Convention Center, the New Kalinga sa Maynila Center, Plaza Azul People’s Park, Disaster Management Office and Convention Center and Manila Civic Greens Center.

These initiatives — shared by Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna at her recent State of the City Address, held July 30 at the Philippine International Convention Center — are all underway in terms of budget preparations, and will serve as foundation for the future of the city– “the Manila that is the very symbol of what it means to be Filipino.”

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Starting with the New Pritil Market, Lacuna said it will replace the old one destroyed in a fire the previous year, while a new six-storey San Andres Sports Complex and Convention Center is in the works, supported by Manila 5th District Rep. Irwin Tieng.

IT TAKES A CITY Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna enjoins her constituents to rebuild the city’s promise of a “safe, clean and orderly Manila.” —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

To establish a deeper relationship with her constituents and respond promptly to their needs, a New Kalinga sa Maynila Center will also be established, Lacuna said. The 10-floor building will house the Manila Barangay Center, the Manila Youth Center, a theater and a modern library, making it a venue where the city’s resources will be made more accessible to its residents.

Kalinga sa Maynila started in 2023 as a series of fora designed to “bring City Hall to the people.” These fora are conducted in all of the capital’s barangays, where Lacuna and her team go directly to residents to discuss their challenges, and joined by representatives of various departments so they can directly provide assistance to those in need.

The creation of Plaza Azul People’s Park, which will be placed under a portion of the elevated road network Skyway Stage 3, and the Manila Civic Greens Center, which will be placed around the civic district of Manila City Hall, are both designed to reestablish the capital as a “green city,” said Lacuna.

Finally, to support and strengthen its efficient disaster preparedness programs, a Disaster Management Office and Convention Center will also be built.

IT TAKES A CITY Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna enjoins her constituents to rebuild the city’s promise of a “safe, clean and orderly Manila.” —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

On top of these six flagship initiatives, Lacuna also shared the rundown of other plans and successes of the country’s capital in the past year: the rehabilitation of the Lagusnilad underpass, as well as 5,000 square meters of city roads; street lighting projects; the opening of the New Vitas Slaughterhouse and The New Animal Clinic and Rescue Center; awarding of Land of Landless Program Certificates; the relocation of Estero de Magdalena; the maintenance of Arroceros Urban Forest Park; the distribution of burial assistance to bereaved residents; and the registration of over 184,000 senior citizens, among others.

Lacuna likewise enjoined her constituents to also do their part in establishing Magnificent Manila.

“I call on all Manileños: Let’s start in our homes and communities; let us unite and help our city rebuild its promise to be safe, clean, and orderly, and to be the Manila that gives everyone the opportunity to succeed,” Lacuna said. INQ