BALANGA CITY (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Dinalupihan, has completed a 290-linear-meter green space along the Talisay River in Balanga City, Bataan.
Spanning Barangays Talisay and Bagumbayan, the project is part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program and aims to recover legal easement areas while providing both recreational and ecological benefits to the community.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo reflected on the success of the initiative, underscoring the agency’s commitment to inclusive and transformative environmental action.
“This project is a clear demonstration of how we can turn challenges into opportunities. From informal settlements to a thriving eco park, our vision for a greener, safer, and more livable community in Balanga has taken root with strong collaboration between national and local government playing a crucial role,” Pablo said.
Three Key Result Areas (KRAs) contributed to the success of the project.
Under KRA 1, or Liquid Waste Management, the Environmental Management Bureau regularly monitors the Talisay River to ensure water quality meets environmental standards.
For KRA 2, or Solid Waste Management, 13 trash traps were strategically installed along the river and are maintained by local river rangers.
Meanwhile, under KRA 3, or Informal Settler Families Management, a total of 216 informal settler families from Barangays Bagumbayan and Talisay were relocated to a housing project in Barangay Tenejero.
The city government of Balanga facilitated the relocation in June 2023.
The newly completed riverside park features amenities such as concrete benches, plant boxes, solar lighting, and landscaped greenery including carabao grass, Thai bamboo, Eugenia, variegated Eugenia, golden becha palm trees, and imported yucca.
Additional developments include the installation of a bamboo gate and perimeter fence, potted flowering plants, waste bins, and information, education, and communication materials.
According to CENRO Dinalupihan, plans for Phase 2 of the project are underway pending the final design proposal from the Balanga City Engineering Office.
The next phase aims to further enhance accessibility, safety, and environmental sustainability of the site.
DENR, in coordination with the city government, continues to conduct routine monitoring and patrolling of the site to safeguard the developments and ensure the park stands as a lasting legacy of collective action and stewardship. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Bataan)
