What has happened to our parks?

The parks in Manila are very dirty, particularly Liwasang Bonifacio where we pass by most of the time. It’s a shame for us when tourists and foreign guests see our parks because they reflect our way of living and care for cleanliness and the environment. Litters, makeshift tents and hanging clothes as well as kitchen items can be seen because homeless people use the parks as their shelter.

City officials should see how our parks look like. We are concerned not only for the cleanliness and maintenance of the parks but also our safety and protection. Harassment incidents happen there because suspicious persons are there most of the time.nLiwasang Bonifacio is near city hall but it seems city officials are not aware.

The parks should be where people relax, while their time, and enjoy fresh air, the ideal place for people to chat, gather, exchange ideas, and for us students to read books, study and review our lessons. — JOSE SALAZAR, Letran College; MARIANNE JOSE, Lyceum University; FRANCISCO SANTOS, Mapua Institute of Technology, MARIA JOYCE V. CANTA, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and FERDINAND ZAMORA, Manila High School