Redeveloped plaza inaugurated today

Residents of Pandacan in Manila now have another reason to rejoice with the redevelopment of Plaza Francisco Balagtas, which would be inaugurated today.

The redevelopment and physical improvement of said plaza, the first after 40 years, is part of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza’s Buhayin ang Maynila program.

Atienza said his administration’s urban renewal program has brought back to life many open spaces in the city such as parks and playgrounds.

Among those that have been redeveloped prior to Plaza Balagtas, include Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Plaza Moriones in Quiapo, Plaza Noli in Sampaloc, Liwasang Bonifacio in the central Manila area, Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate, the Roxas Boulevard seawall, Paraiso ng Batang Maynila and the adjacent Plaza Asuncion, also in Malate.

The said areas, once dark and dreary, have been revived and have become leisure and recreation destinations of Manileños and even residents of nearby towns and cities in Metro Manila.

Plaza Balagtas, located at the corner of Beata and Laura streets in Pandacan, now has granite flooring and a dancing fountain similar to the ones found at Liwasang Bonifacio and Rajah Sulayman. It has also been landscaped and planted with flower bearing plants, with park benches placed around the plaza. Bright promenade and floodlights have also been installed so that residents can enjoy the plaza even at night.

"As we have done in the other open spaces in Manila, we have redeveloped Plaza Balagtas so that residents could have their own park where they can congregate and relax," Atienza explained.

The plaza will be inaugurated at 5 p.m. A cultural show featuring the world-renowned Bayanihan Dance Troupe will serve as one of the highlights of the plaza’s reopening.

Atienza said that next to be redeveloped by the city government under the Buhayin ang Maynila program is the Mehan Gardens, which used to be a thriving botanical garden but has deteriorated over the past decades due to neglect.