Mayor Isko on Intramuros Golf Course conversion plan: Give it back to the people of Manila

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Domagoso defended his plan to convert the Intramuros Golf Course into a forest park on Wednesday, Dec. 3, as more people, particularly golfers and other stakeholders of the facility, continue to criticize the proposed project.

- By PATRICK GARCIA

Speakingat the ManilaTourism and Cultural Development Plan - Stakeholder’s Consultation and Planning Workshop, Domagoso underscored the importance of the conversion, saying that it's primary purpose is to give it back to the people of the city and to promote an inclusive and sustainable urban development plan in Manila.

“Recently, may mga nagwawalang golfer. Akala mo ba sila ang may-ari at karapatan. Nanggalaiti sila na bakit daw gagawing park? Tingnan n’yo ang argument. Talagang mahahalata mo na mga taong makasarili (Recently, there are some golfers who are complaining about the proposal as if they are the owners of the land and have the rights to it. They are angry about it being turned into a park? Look at their argument. You can really see that these are selfish people)," Domagoso said, adding that the Intramuros Forest Parkis a legacy project that will benefit not just the people today, but the future generation as well.