Quezon City slams Quezon Memorial Circle's critics

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC) lashed out at two members of the Quezon City Parks Foundation (QCPF) during a press conference Saturday for allegedly conducting a “vicious” media campaign against the management of the 26-hectare park.

QMC administrator Tadeo Palma denied the allegations of Charito Planas and Odette Alcantara that the park’s new administration is on a tree-cutting spree.

“There was only one tree that had to be cut after securing the necessary permit since the tree blocked the view of the Quezon Memorial Monument from Commonwealth Avenue and the same tree was located in the exact area where the underpass is being constructed,” Palma, concurrent secretary to the mayor, said.

Planas and Alcantara, who were present during the press conference, belong to the QCPF, which managed the park prior to the takeover by the city government.

Palma dared the two women to prove that “a single tree was cut from July 1 to the present.” He said if they can do so, he would resign his two positions, but if they cannot, then the two “owe the Quezon City Memorial Circle an apology for misleading the public with false accusations.”

He showed a certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources declaring that not a single tree was cut during this period, and that the trunk that appeared to be cut were the remains of a tree uprooted by typhoon “Milenyo” in 2005.

As for converting some grassy areas into parking areas, Palma said these parking areas had to be added because of the significant increase in people going to the park.

He also said the city government actually ordered five hectares of grass to cover the grounds, and the trees trimmed so sunlight can help the grass grow.

Palma said the government also leveled the grounds of the park due to the poor drainage system in the area, which makes the park unusable during the rainy season.

Planas claimed that almost 100 kamuning trees, 50 of which were planted by Joseph Estrada associate Charlie “Atong” Ang, were no longer in the area where they were planted.

Palma said the kamuning trees were not actually “trees” but “bushes,” and their transfer is a “policy decision based on our own aesthetic sense.”

“These issues, including the see-through fence, the small amusement park, the upgrading of makeshift structures… are policy decisions. Since we did not question their policy decisions when they were managing the Circle for 20 years, we hope that they would also respect the policy decisions of the new administration,” he said.