Belmonte to develop eco-park near La Mesa

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has committed P10-million to re-develop a Martial Law-era 20-hectare eco-park tucked in a section of the La Mesa Dam near Commonwealth Avenue.

The city government is also working on a joint agreement with various cause-oriented groups to rehabilitate the 12-hectare old Balara Filter park.

He said the La Mesa eco-park, first established during the Marcos years, has fallen into a state of neglect. "It’s been there and we want to reopen and develop it," said the mayor, adding that he had been talking with various private groups to help City Hall in the project.

He said the money the city government has allocated for the eco-project would be spent largely on road repairs. "Other cities envy us because of our vast land resources, he said. We must put these resources to good use," Belmonte said.

He said he has visited the site and found the access roads in a terrible state of disrepair. "I’ll bet many of us don’t know this park has been there all along, " he said.

The mayor said he is excited about the twin development projects, which would give residents more spaces for recreation. Belmonte said the twin projects would start within the year.

A comprehensive re-development plan for the Balara Filter park has already been drafted, said the mayor, and it would involve several corporate sponsors.