Rama eyes makeover of Freedom Park area

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is eyeing to beautify and enhance Freedom Park and Warwick Barracks in Cebu downtown area.

Rama said he is planning to put up a park in Freedom Park, while, medium-rise building, pension houses and commercial buildings in Warwick Barracks.

Freedom Park was used to be a place where people meet and assemble for a debate and express their individual sentiments freely without fear of being arrested.

"Mga vendors will all be part of our projects and programs. My concept on Warwick barracks concept is a combination of medium rise (residential area) and pension houses. Dili mawala ang commercial (spaces) para sa mga vendors," Rama said.

Warwick Barracks Market is situated adjacent to the Freedom Park Market along F. Escaño and MC Briones Streets, but the inner portion of Warwick Barracks is already being occupied as a residential area by hundreds of settlers.

This inspired Rama to propose the construction of a medium-rise building, primarily a residential building.

"Kini ang hagit sa market authority and engineering," he said.

Futher, Rama said he is also planning to build a parking building in some strategic areas in the city.

"Daghan pa kaayo ko plano like parking building sa Carlock, V. Rama and Tinago aron ang mga tawo manglakaw na lang. Hopefully ma-interconnected ang mga building," Rama said.

The newly-designated acting city engineer Jose Marie Poblete has received a marching order from Rama to also reevaluate the plan of constructing a new engineering building in the city's lot at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Likewise, Rama also ordered Poblete to recheck if there is a need to hire additional personnel to deal and help him in some engineering matters. (FREEMAN)