Bayani wants ‘see-through’ gov’t walls

The government will start tearing down the concrete fences of all public buildings in Metro Manila to replace them with 80 percent see-through fences in preparation for the upcoming visit of US President George W. Bush.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando said yesterday the program will be implemented in response to the directive of President Arroyo.

According to the invitation sent out by the MMDA chief to all concerned agencies and officials attending the Regional Development Council meeting last Friday, the fences of the Nichols Air Base property up to the Light Rail Transit depot in Pasay City and Parañaque City will be converted into see-through fences. Fernando said the program is being undertaken not only for the Bush visit in October but for the general beautification of Metro Manila.

He pointed out that all government buildings will be included in the program in an attempt to prove that Metro Manila is more beautiful than Singapore, which is considered by some as the benchmark of urbanity in the region.

Fernando noted that most of the government buildings actually have beautiful landscapes behind their walls which are unseen by the people outside.

The program aims to showcase the greenery inside the buildings in harmony with the rapid infrastructure developments brought about by urbanization.

In place of the concrete walls, wire meshes or grills will be put up, covering 80 percent of the area.

This program would also complement the Department of Tourism’s campaign to promote several areas of Metro Manila as tourist destinations instead of the usual beaches and resorts outside of the region.

For the government properties that do not have much to show inside their fences, Fernando said that the administrators would be encouraged to plant trees and other foliage to improve its surroundings.

"This program is being done so that the people may see the beautiful plants and trees inside the government compounds. They (government building administrators) should not deprive the people of the pleasure of seeing these," Fernando said.

Apart from aesthetics, Fernando said the program would also contribute in improving security inside the buildings.

He cited a report from the Philippine National Police claiming that security is better for the compounds if the interior is seen from the outside rather than being walled-in.

This is particularly true in the case of trespassers and burglars as the people from outside any compound will be able to see any irregular activity happening inside.

Fernando added that private property owners will also be encouraged to tear down their walls in favor of see-through fences.

However, Fernando said that this would only be done on a voluntary basis as the government can not compel the owners to join the program.