Makati Park and Garden

The Makati Park and Garden, sometimes called Fort Bonifacio Riverside Park and Liwasang Bonifacio (transl. Bonifacio Park) by local residents, is an urban riverfront park along the south bank of the Pasig River in Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines. It has an area of 35,433 square meters (381,400 sq ft). In the aftermath of the 2021 Supreme Court decision, which favors Taguig with regards to the political and territorial jurisdiction of Fort Bonifacio and the Embo barangays, ownership dispute arises when Taguig attempted to takeover the park on March 1, 2024. The City of Taguig claims the Park and Garden on the grounds of "(Makati's) unlawful possession".

Makati maintained that the park is their property under the city's Department of Environmental Services. It was created in 2001 as part of the Linear Parks Project of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.

Description

The Makati Park and Garden is located in barangays West Rembo and Cembo, just east of Guadalupe Nuevo and north of Bonifacio Global City. It is bordered by J.P. Rizal Avenue to the south, the Makati Aqua Sports Arena to the east, and the Rizal Riverwalk and Lawton Avenue to the west. The University of Makati main campus, Fort Bonifacio Elementary and High School, the Ermita de San Nicolas de Tolentino and Makati City Jail are located just across the street from the park. The park is one of 25 Pasig riverside parks in Metro Manila developed by Financial Building Corporation in 2001 under contract from the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. It is also a bird sanctuary and one of five plant nurseries in Makati.

A prominent feature of the park is the monument to Andrés Bonifacio located on the western side near the parking area. The monument, designed by Filipino sculptor Juan Sajid Imao, son of National Artist Abdulmari Imao, was erected in 1997 to commemorate Bonifacio's death centennial. The park also features a small lake, fountains, a man-made waterfall, an aviary, amphiteater, pavilion, and gazebos, including a floating octagonal gazebo. The park's Artist Pavilion serves as a function hall and is a favorite venue for social activities and receptions such as wedding and birthdays. A pedestrian trail known as the Rizal Riverwalk extends along the Pasig River for approximately 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) from the Makati Park and Garden to the Guadalupe Ferry Station near EDSA. The Makati Aqua Sports Arena is a popular recreational facility located on the park's eastern side. It contains two swimming pools, one of which is Olympic-sized, built in 2006 at a cost of ₱12 million. The arena is open from Tuesdays to Sundays and charges an entrance fee. The Makati Park also charges fees for use of the Artist Pavilion.

In November 2017, the Bonifacio monument at the park was dismantled by the Department of Public Works and Highways to make way for the construction of Santa Monica–Lawton Bridge, which would link Bonifacio Global City with Ortigas Center.

Ownership dispute

In 2022, the Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that Makati should stop exercising jurisdiction over West Rembo and Cembo, where the Makati Park and Garden is located, effectively placing the park in Taguig. However, the city government of Makati maintains that high court decision did not equate to automatically ceding the park's control to Taguig and that Makati still owns the property associated with the park despite the park now situated within the territory of Taguig.

Taguig attempted to take control over the park on March 1, 2024. On March 3, 2024, the Taguig city government closed the park, citing lack of permits. It also reiterated that it has the right to “possess and administer the same notwithstanding Makati’s unlawful possession.”

Makati insist that it does not need to pay permit or pay taxes for the park to Taguig. Citing Presidential Proclamation No. 1916 of 2009, Makati states that local government unit owned assets are exempted from taxes and that Taguig's insistence of requiring Makati permit is an "admittance" of Makati's ownership of the park.

External links

• Media related to Old trees, fences, amphitheatre and pedestrian footbridges - Makati Park & Garden (J. P. Rizal Extension, West Rembo, Makati City) at Wikimedia Commons

References