Mayor Rex Gatchalian, joined by MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos, led the inauguration of the MMDA-Valenzuela Friendship Parks at Disiplina Village Bignay, Valenzuela City on February 3, 2022.

In partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), four parks were built in the model in-city relocation site for informal settler families (ISF) known as Disiplina Village. MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos taps Valenzuela City and sought partnership to be the pilot recipient of the Adopt-A-Park Project of the MMDA’s “I Love Metro Manila” advocacy program.

The “I Love MM” advocacy program envisions to uplift the spirits of Metro Manila residents recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to strengthen initiatives on urban renewal to transform the metropolis to be a more livable, greener, and resilient region.

Mayor REX Gatchalian opted to build the Php 20 Million parks in Disiplina Village Bignay to develop the remaining areas of the village. Established to be a complete community, DVB has its own elementary and secondary school, government center, four-covered courts, a multi-purpose building, grocery store, tricycle terminal, and urban farm.

As of the launching of the parks, residents in all age groups from toddlers to senior citizens will soon enjoy the spacious playsets, shaded benches, exercise equipment, fountain, and multi-function space.

Mayor REX gives thanks to MMDA Chairman Abalos in his speech and assures him of more green spaces projects in Valenzuela City.

“Maraming salamat MMDA Chairman Abalos sa mga proyektong parehas nating pinapangarap. Ako para sa Valenzuela City, kayo para sa Metro Manila. Ang mga pagpundar sa open spaces at mga green spaces katulad nito ay napapanahon na para sa Metro Manila at sa Valenzuela City. Ito ay para makahinga naman ang ating siyudad. Ang susunod naming proyekto ay ang open spaces sa ilalim ng fly over na nahingi na namin sa NLEX. Gagawin natin itong iba’t iba pang mga parke para magamit ng libre ng mga Valenzuelano at ng iba pang lugar. (Thank you very much MMDA Chairman Abalos for the projects we both dream of. My dream for Valenzuela City, your dream for Metro Manila. Acquiring open spaces and green spaces like this are timely for Metro Manila and Valenzuela City. This is for our city to breathe. Our next project will be for the open spaces under the fly over that we have already acquired at NLEX. We will build more variety parks to be used by Valenzuelanos and other places.)”

MMDA Abalos in return exchange gratitude to Mayor Rex in his speech and emphasizes the importance of the advocacy program.

“Nakita po natin sa Metro Manila lalo na noong nagka-pandemic na ang problema natin ay spaces. Sinabi ko sa team ko, ‘part ng pondo namin ay galing sa mga lgu (local government units), bakit di natin ibalik sa kanila ang pondo nila. Gumawa tayo ng park sa mga lugar na ituturo ng Mayor at ang priority ay pocket parks. (We saw in Metro Manila, especially during the pandemic, that our problem was spaces. I told my team, ‘part of our funds come from lgu (local government units), why don’t we give them back their funds. Let’s create a park in areas that the Mayor will direct and the priority is pocket parks)”, he added.

The MMDA – Valenzuela City Friendship Parks utilizes four separate areas with a total buildable area of 2,419.33 square meters. It will soon be opened and enjoyed by more than 3,200 families upon hiring Park Rangers to maintain cleanliness and orderliness to the new four parks in Disiplina Village.

This event is one of the key events for the full month celebration of the 24th Cityhood of Valenzuela City. Present also in the event is Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja and other Valenzuela City officials, Bignay Barangay officials and DVB Home Owners officers.