Updated rules on adopt-a-park in city crafted
The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance providing updated guidelines for the implementation of the institutionalized Adopt A Park project in the city.
Under the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda, the city government will declare it a policy to safeguard, conserve and develop the parks and gardens in the city as part of its cleanliness, beautification and wellness program.
Further, the Adopt A Park project was institutionalized under Ordinance No. 49, series of 2011 to help improve the current state of the city parks.
The ordinance stated that the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) shall be responsible in identifying and designating the parks, gardens, center islands and similar other spaces to be adopted, developed, beautified and maintained by the adopting party. The adopting party may be a family, clan or a duly registered or accredited party entity in the city.
Among the updated guidelines include that the interested party shall manifest its intention to partner with the city government in the project by securing an application form and submitting this to the CEPMO; the concept plan or design and a program or scope of work shall be reviewed and approved by the CEPMO; the areas to be adopted may include an entire area or a portion of the park, garden, public plaza, center island, greenway, plant boxes and other similar sites intended to be adopted which are maintained or administered by the city; the adopting party shall not encumber or alienate any portion of the adopted park and ensure its preservation and accessibility to the public; the adopting party shall plant a variety of seasonal ornamental plants to cover the adopted area; the adopting party is allowed to install or erect a signage within the premises indicating its support to the program; the terms and conditions for the implementation of the Adopt A Park project shall be stipulated in a memorandum of agreement to be entered into by the city and the adopting party; after the lapse of the period, the agreement shall be automatically renewed for another year depending on the evaluation and recommendation of the CEPMO and upon the mutual consent of the parties; upon the termination of the agreement, the adopting party shall turnover the accomplished project to the city government, through CEPMO, including all improvements introduced without need to reimburse expenses incurred; the agreement may be terminated or revoked by either party anytime for justifiable cause; the city government, through the CEPMO, shall closely monitor and supervise the compliance of the adopting party to the terms of the agreement; any damages or accidents arising from any activity being conducted by the adopting party on site shall be its sole responsibility and strengthened measures may be adopted and enforced to attain the noble objective of the program.
The CEPMO shall prepare the detailed guidelines in the identification and designation of the park, garden, center island, greenway, plaza and other similar places to be adopted and for the maintenance by the adopting party. Moreover, an annual search for the best adopted park shall be conducted and recognition and appreciation to the partnership, efforts and resources of the adopting party. – Dexter A. See
