Manila's last lung' to remain free from dev't

Arroceros Forest Park, often described to be Manila's "last lung," will remain off-limits to private interests, the city government said yesterday.

- Ghio Ong

Asked by The STAR about potential interest by private groups and developers, Arroceros Forect Park officer-in-charge Gideon Navarro said "no private groups have sent feelers." He cited the prohibitions declared by City Ordinance 8607 signed into law in February 2020 by then Manila mayor Isko Moreno.

Under Section 8 of the law, hunting, destroying, disturbing or possession of flora and fauna; digging, including for archaeological purposes; waste dumping; mutilation, defacing or destroying of any object; damaging trails and roads; occupation or squatting; construction and conducting business without a permit; leaving behind refuse or debris; and altering or destroying boundaries and markers are banned in the 2.2-hectare park and its neighboring 5,100-square-meter plaza.