The VECO Park

CEBU, Philippines - The Visayan Electric Company, which provides us with electric power, launched recently its “VECO Playgrounds” in Tayud, Consolacion. It is located below the Cansaga Bridge.

With the help of Play Pilipinas, a non-government organization, designs and colors of the swings, seesaws, playhouse, climbing tracks that all give the impression of a big obstacle course, become very attractive and stimulating to kids.

“Kids don’t play outside anymore,” observes VECO chief operating officer Basti Lacson. “They have been deprived of places where they can just freely run around and play.”

So a partnership was forged with Paul Perez of Play Pilipinas Foundation and local government units. VECO builds the playgrounds using recycled materials. “Rather than adding up the wastes on our dumpsites or letting them stand on the VECO scrapyard, we were able to turn these into materials for rest and leisure, in a park where children can engage in play and recreation,” Sir Basti added.

Scrap materials from VECO’s day-to-day operations include wooden poles and crates, wire reels, used tires, and even nuts and metal eye bolts.

VECO also conducts monthly maintenance of the playgrounds to ensure long life use, as well as safety. The lowdown, though, is that during our tour there, stray dogs urinate at the site. Flies also proliferate because of fish stalls nearby. “I’m expecting the LGU to do their part in making the place as tidy as possible,” Sir Basti expressed.

The first VECO Park built by its employees and union officers was in Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City which was completed last January. It aims to build at least three more in Naga City, Cebu City, and Minglanilla by the end of this year, to an average cost of P50,000 per 50 square meters.

In addition to making the children of their host communities happy, VECO is happier to have reduced its environmental impact from waste.