QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the local government of Caloocan unveiled on Thursday, February 16,  the expansion of Caloocan City Nature Park Phase 2 located at Barangay 179, Amparo Subdivision, North Caloocan City, as part of the agency’s Adopt-A-Park project.

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan, and Caloocan City 1st District Representative Oscar Malapitan led the inauguration and blessing of the park.

The 2,200 square meter park includes viewing decks, trellis, paved pathways, landscape, and rock ripraps that can be turned into benches for family and friends to enjoy.

According to Artes, the Nature Park Phase 2 is one of the 23 projects of MMDA that aims to provide pocket parks to the 17 Local Government Units (LGU) comprising Metro Manila.

“As part of the adopt-a-park project, we have developed this Nature Park for the public to enjoy,” Artes said.

“As a continuation in developing this park, Congressman Malapitan and I have discussed to conduct dredging operations to clean the waterway in the area,” Artes added.

Further, Mayor Malapitan expressed their gratitude to the MMDA for developing the said park.

Under the Adopt-A-Park project, which started last year and was the brainchild of former MMDA Chairman and now Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., the LGU shall propose the location, design, and cost estimate, while the MMDA sets the criteria for site selection, provides funding, and implements the construction of the project.

Through this, the MMDA hopes to curb urban decay and reduce urban heat effects as well as provide safe and clean areas for family events and wellness activities, which are both important to the physical and mental health of the public. (mmda/pia-ncr)