DEPUTY Speaker Lito Atienza has filed a bill seeking to strip the Department of Tourism (DOT) of control over the 58-hectare Luneta Park and returning the power to the Manila City government “to further improve its preservation and management.”
Under House Bill 2594, the Manila city government shall be put in charge of the historical landmark in lieu of the DOT’s National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), with Atienza saying highly developed city governments across the country have already reassumed supervision of national urban parks within their jurisdiction.
“We are absolutely convinced that progressive city governments are in the best position to look after national parks in their territories,” said Atienza, a former Manila mayor.
The House leader cited the Quezon Memorial Circle, the control of which has since been returned to the Quezon City government, and Burnham Park in Baguio City which is now under the city government’s control.
“In the case of Luneta, the city government is already spending for the public services needed for the park’s upkeep, so we might as well give it back to the city for administration purposes,” Atienza said.
Luneta, also known as Rizal Park, was originally administered by the Manila city government until 1963, when President Diosdado Macapagal created the NPDC to oversee the development of inner-city national parks.
Atienza said the return of national parks to the cities where they belong will give more meaning to the mandate of the 1987 Constitution for the State to advance local government autonomy.
“The delegation of more powers and responsibilities to cities will also give more substance to the Local Government Code of 1991,” Atienza said, stressing that Luneta is a priceless national heritage which is a major tourist site, with attractions such as the Rizal Monument and the Independence Flagpole.
