Deemed as the "Last Lung of Manila," the Arroceros Forest Park was created in 1994 by a bunch of women (mostly in their 70s today) who proved that an empty lot (filled with debris) could be transformed into a dense forest which has attracted over 20 kinds of birds, different butterflies and has been providing the city with much-needed oxygen.
Located just at the foot of Quezon Bridge in Manila, this piece of land used to be a Chinese trading settlement during the Spanish colonial period. During the American period, the land was used as a military garrison.
Ms. Chiqui Sy-Quia Mabanta of the Winner Foundation welcomed the cyclists to the Arroceros Forest Park. With her are broadcast journalist Mr. Howie Severino, and Mr. Jack Yabut of the Firefly Brigade Philippines.
With award-winning journalist Mr. Howie Severino.
For years, the Arroceros Forest Park encountered threats for closure. In 2003, then Mayor Lito Atienza ordered the closure of the park to give way for the construction of a school administration building. In 2008, the memorandum of agreement signed in the 1990s protecting the park had expired and the land became vulnerable for commercial developments.
In 2017, Winner Foundation received an order from the Manila city government to vacate the park and make way for construction of a gymnasium building. A milestone change.org petition urging the Senate Committee on Climate Change for support garnered more than 115,000 signatures. The construction of the gymnasium was eventually deferred by then Mayor Erap Estrada.
The Green Rebellion is the Environment Program of Manila Doctors Hospital through its CSRO and Environment and Waste Management Committee (ENVICOM). The goal of the program is to promote recycling environmental awareness, and create clean and green spaces in Manila Doctors’ adopted park, community, and school.
Manila Doctors joins the global community in celebrating Earth Day every April 22 in support of environmental protection. The annual event is held at the Arroceros Forest Park with the hospital’s internal community and external stakeholders. The Arroceros Forest Park is an adopted park by The Green Rebellion.
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