Sawangan Park in Legazpi City, Albay done by city architect
SAWANGAN Park in Legazpi City in Albay is the latest landmark that seeks to uplift the development of Legazpi City to the next higher level. The local government of
Mayor Noel
Rosal seeks to improve its value as a city accelerating not only its economic indicators for a business climate, but also several other aspects of this growing and bustling metropolis. There is also the calm and secured peace and order situation to address the business sector. There are the natural and man-made attractions to lure in domestic tourism. There are also more than the basic necessities to address a growing population. Adding to that is the harmonious political landscape, which complement all the positive developments. There are the infrastructures in place to address property development and the social welfare concerns of the city.
This very dynamic and energetic leadership of Mayor Rosal leading the progress of this already livable and wonderful city, opened up an urban public green space of the city situated along the shores of Albay Gulf and Legazpi Boulevard in Barangay Dapdap, Legazpi City giving more value to a once desolated and wasteful area of the city. This waterfront park having an area of about 1.72 hectares came from a raw land that resulted from backfills of debris and silt taken out from the various rivers of Mayon Volcano after the most devastating natural calamity, Typhoon Reming brought havoc to the Legazpi City and filled up most rivers in 2006.
This park was officially named Sawangan Park by the 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod Council through City Ordinance 15-00062019 during their 12th Regular Session as endorsed by local historians and the Office of the City Museum. Sawangan is the old name of Legazpi City and it originated from the old Bikolano word sawang meaning to hang or to tie. The former place was a docking area for various small boats.
Today, this open park gives tribute to all Albayanos and welcomes Bicolanos and tourists alike to stroll along the boulevard and feel its vibrant atmosphere and hospitality as it tries to rival the majestic and picturesque Mayon Volcano. This project was constructed by the city government of Legazpi under the very dynamic leadership of Mayor Rosal with the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Mayor Oscar Robert Cristobal. Funded through the Department of Budget Management’s “Green, Green, Green!” program-Local Government Support Fund to Cities and counter-funded by the City Government local fund to complete the various amenities.
Arch. Reynaldo Acosta, the city architect of the Legazpi City LGU, in consultation with Mayor Rosal and the various government and non-government entities of the City Government, conceptualized the design and together with the City Engineers Office, Acosta implemented the design and space planning that transformed the it into a vibrant open public space. Acosta had been working with the firm of National Artist Arch. Leandro Locsin and partners in the 1990s before going back to his hometown to work with the Legazpi City Government bringing with him an extremely vast wealth of experiences he has put to good use in his beloved hometown.
In the consideration of its site planning and design, the park is primarily for constituents’ leisure and wellness activities, while it can be used for big public assemblies and any other outdoor activities, it has now become a place for interactions of the various social fabrics of the city, as well as a favorite relaxing place for both locals and tourists who want to shy away from the noisy and bustling city life.
The park is now provided with the following features and amenities: A shoreline esplanade with simulated wood-covered concrete benches along the boulevard coupled with plant strips; a beach volleyball sand court with tiered seats serving as an amphitheater; a viewing watch tower; waiting and rest areas covered with trees and provided with benches; a senior citizens’ wellness area equipped with outdoor fitness equipment; picnic grounds, walkways and basic park amenities like comfort rooms, ample parking spaces for cars and motorbikes; articulated park lightings and information sign boards.
The use of local indigenous materials such as the rocks from Mayon Volcano are very evident in the various components and fixtures of the park, which silently speaks of its character and the place. The whole park development was made to synergize the adjoining development of the Legazpi Boulevard jogging lanes, the articulated colorful lightings of the Macabalo Bridge and the development of its riverside esplanade, all intended for recreation, leisure and interaction among the city constituents and visitors alike.
Legazpi City’s various development of public spaces such as the construction of this park are in response of the present local administration to this fast-growing urban development and to promote more green open spaces within the urban center which is in accordance with the National Development and Housing Framework to create a sustainable and livable urban environment.
Sawagan Park is another feather in the cap for Legazpi City as it moves forward and progresses in an orderly, aesthetically safe and sustainable manner into the future. The Office of the City Architect designed and planned one of the most livable cities in the country, improving property development and value of the locale.
Arch. Benjamin K. Panganiban, Jr., FUAP is the immediate past national president of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) and the first national president from Mindanao. He has been in the private practice for more than 34 years and is a fellow of the UAP. He is also the first Asean and APEC architect from Davao City. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Mindanao, a doctor fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects Singapore and a recipient of the European Business Assembly.