The newly-facelifted Tagumpay Park formerly known as Rotary Park opened officially last May 6 after its blessing and inauguration which also adds to the roster of new attractions in the city under the Rellon-Estabillo administration that champions environmental preservation.
The 18.5 million peso Tagumpay Park project is part of the Green Green Green Program of the Department of Budget and Management Office which aims to transform concrete jungles into environment-friendly tourist attractions. Prior to the selection of the area for the project, the City Government of Tagum conducted a study on which places needed rehabilitation. Tagumpay Park was then chosen to be part of the program.
The park features a gazebo which is accessible for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, children’s playground, bicycle lane, and bike parking area. In addition, a masterpiece of Kublai Millan was donated to the park known as the giant carabao sculpture made of scrap metals from hospital beds and other recyclable metal parts which symbolizes the hard work of our frontliners during the pandemic.
“Gi una nato ang parke tungod kay kung muadto ka sa mga known cities … naa gyud silay ginatawag na Park at the Heart of the City. Kailangan man gud ni sa mga tao gud kay kung puro building ug kalsada na lang ug sakyanan, polluted na kaayo ang lugar. We wanted na mahimong liveable syudad ang Tagum. At least naa silay masuruyan … Dili ni gikan sa atong panudlanan, inisyatibo ni, grant ni siya … Ang epekto niini … managko na ang mga kahoy, green na kaayo ang mga carabao grass … bugnaw na kaayo ang lugara dinhi.”, explains, Mayor Allan L. Rellon.
(“We [rehabilitated] the park first because just like when you go to known cities … they have a Park at the Heart of the City. People need this because if almost everything around us are buildings, concrete roads, and cars, then the area will be polluted. We wanted to condition Tagum as a liveable city. The people will have a new place to go to … the budget did not come from us but is due to our initiatives, we were granted a budget … the effect of this … when the trees grow and the grasses become thick, lush, and green, the place will be cool.”)
The park is set to be the connection to other parks, cultural center, and trading centers in downtown Tagum as it is also part of the Tagumpay Walk project of the UN Habitat which promotes the “walkable city” advocacy around the world.
The blessing and inauguration was attended by Vice Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo, the 8th city council, department heads, city employees, and some Tagumenyos around the area. Ziyarah Manalo/CIO Tagum
