President Marcos, Isko discuss Manila’s urban renewal projects

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos and Mayor Isko Moreno discussed the “urban renewal” projects of Manila, including the conversion of the Intramuros golf course into a forest park.

In a meeting at Malacañang on Friday, Moreno presented the plan to convert the exclusive facility into a green park that is open to residents and visitors.

The golf course is managed by the Intramuros Administration, an attached agency of the Department of Tourism.

Moreno also informed the President of the city government’s plan to “pursue the operation and maintenance of the Metropolitan Theater and the development of parking facilities beneath the Skyway and NLEX Connector viaducts to alleviate road congestion.”

According to a statement from the Manila Public Information Office, the Metropolitan Theater – a declared national historical landmark and cultural treasure – is being operated by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Also presented to Marcos is the city government’s “10-year comprehensive development plan,” which included the restoration of Plaza Calderon, rehabilitation of Lawton Underpass, construction of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Health and Sciences, completion of Binondominium 2 and 3, construction of four in-city vertical housing towers within the Bureau of Plant Industry compound and the “land for the landless” program across four projected sites.

Moreno said the projects are to be completed “before the President’s term ends” in 2028.