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Makati Park and Garden

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Coordinates: 14°33′54″N 121°3′21″E / 14.56500°N 121.05583°E / 14.56500; 121.05583
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14°33′54″N 121°3′21″E / 14.56500°N 121.05583°E / 14.56500; 121.05583

Makati Park and Garden
Portion of the riverfront park facing J.P. Rizal Avenue
Map
TypeUrban park
LocationCembo and West Rembo, Taguig, Philippines
Area3.5433 hectares (35,433 m2)
Created1994; 31 years ago (1994)
ClosedMarch 3, 2024 – May 6, 2025
FounderCity Government of Makati
Owned byCity Government of Taguig
Administered byTaguig City Parks & Recreation Office
StatusOpen

The Makati Park and Garden, sometimes called by the longtime residents of the area as "Liwasang Bonifacio" (Bonifacio Park) and "Liwasang Makati" (Makati Park) is an urban riverfront park along the south bank of the Pasig River in the northern part of Taguig, Philippines. The park is located in barangays Cembo and West Rembo facing the University of Makati.[1] It is also known as the Fort Bonifacio Riverside Park. It was renamed as the Taguig People's Park by the city of Taguig.[2]

History

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As early as 1994, the City of Makati engaged with the services of an architectural firm to design the Liwasang Bonifacio.[3] It was then in 1995 when the construction started until its completion in 1998.[4] The park has an area of 35,433 square meters (381,400 sq ft)[5] and its administration was assigned to the Department of Environmental Services who is responsible for the maintenance of the park. The park is open to the public and is designated by the city government of Makati as a safe place for students. In the aftermath of the 2021 Supreme Court decision, which was decided in favor of the City of Taguig gaining jurisdiction of Fort Bonifacio and the Embo barangays, ownership and management of the park has been disputed between the cities of Makati and Taguig. Subsequently, the City of Taguig issued a closure order citing the lack of permits to operate.[6]

At present, the park is currently managed by the City of Taguig through its Parks & Recreation Office, by virtue of a court order which directed the City of Makati to allow, without reservation, the City of Taguig to access and exclusive possession of public facilities within the EMBO district.[7][8]

Description

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Makati Aqua Sports Arena

The Makati Park and Garden is located in barangays West Rembo and Cembo, just east of Guadalupe Nuevo and north of Bonifacio Global City. It is bordered by J.P. Rizal Avenue to the south, the Makati Aqua Sports Arena to the east, and the Rizal Riverwalk and Lawton Avenue to the west. The University of Makati main campus, Fort Bonifacio Elementary and High School, the Ermita de San Nicolas de Tolentino and Makati City Jail are located just across the street from the park. The park is designed in 1994 after the Makati City Government commissioned an architectural firm for the project. It was then in 1995 when the construction began and the park was opened to the public in 1998. It is also a bird sanctuary and one of five plant nurseries in Makati.[9] This is one of the places available to visit when you want to unwind amidst the bustling air in the metropolis. The park is well-maintained, secure, and a haven of comfort for all.

A prominent feature of the park is the monument to Andrés Bonifacio located on the western side near the parking area.[10] The monument, designed by Filipino sculptor Juan Sajid Imao, son of National Artist Abdulmari Imao, was erected in 1997 to commemorate Bonifacio's death centennial.[11] The park also features a small lake, fountains, a man-made waterfall, an aviary, amphiteater, pavilion, and gazebos, including a floating octagonal gazebo.[1][12] The park's Artist Pavilion serves as a function hall and is a favorite venue for social activities and receptions such as wedding and birthdays.[13] A pedestrian trail known as the Rizal Riverwalk extends along the Pasig River for approximately 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) from the Makati Park and Garden to the Guadalupe Ferry Station near EDSA. The Makati Aqua Sports Arena is a popular recreational facility located on the park's eastern side. It contains two swimming pools, one of which is Olympic-sized, built on February 3, 2006 at a cost of ₱12 million.[14] The arena is open from Tuesdays to Sundays and charges an entrance fee.[15] Such fees for swimming pool facility are as follows: Php 50 for residents and students, and Php 150 for non-residents. The Makati Park also charges fees for use of the Artist Pavilion.[13]

In November 2017, the Bonifacio monument at the park was dismantled by the Department of Public Works and Highways to make way for the construction of Santa Monica–Lawton Bridge, which would link Bonifacio Global City with Ortigas Center.[11]

Ownership

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Since May 6, 2025, the City Government of Taguig operates the said facility upon issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order against Makati for a period of 72-hours. On May 9, 2025, the Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 163 through Judge Desiree Orquiola-Moldez extended the validity of the TRO for another 17 days (or until May 26) while Civil Case No. 1104 is still being heard.

In 2022, the Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that Makati should stop exercising jurisdiction over the Embo barangays including West Rembo and Cembo, where the Makati Park and Garden is located, effectively placing the park in Taguig.[16] However, the City Government of Makati maintains that high court decision did not equate to automatically ceding the park's control to Taguig and that Makati still owns the property associated with the park despite the park now situated within the territory of Taguig.[17][18]

Hundreds of Personnel from the Taguig Traffic Management Office (TMO) attempted to enter the park on March 1, 2024, which were prevented from doing so by the Makati security personnel.[17] On March 3, 2024, the Taguig city government closed the park, citing lack of permits of the City of Makati such as business permit, local tax payments, and a mayor's permit. The City Government of Taguig also stated that “The said park and garden, which has been effectively closed as a park by Makati and used as garage for its heavy equipment and storage for various objects, is subject to Taguig’s jurisdiction which has the right to possess and administer the same notwithstanding Makati’s unlawful possession.”[19] Makati insist that it does not need to pay permit or pay taxes for the park to Taguig. Citing Presidential Proclamation No. 1916 of 2009,[20] Makati states that local government unit owned assets are exempted from taxes and that Taguig's insistence of requiring Makati permit is an "admittance" of Makati's ownership of the park.[18]

On May 5, 2025, the Regional Trial Court of Taguig through Executive Judge Loralie Cruz Datahan, issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that directed the City Government of Makati to turnover to Taguig the public properties situated in the Embo barangays which covers health centers, open courts, multi-purpose buildings, parks and other properties covered by Proclamation Nos. 518 and 1916, citing the gravity of depriving EMBO residents of services they needed. The TRO barred the Makati City Government from preventing the City Government of Taguig from entering the premises and taking full and exclusive possession of public properties in the EMBO barangays, and was valid for a period of 72-hours pending court hearing.[21][7] This TRO was issued to preserve the status quo and prevent irreparable harm while the court hears the main case. It temporarily allows access or prevents interference while the legal dispute is ongoing.[22][23]

The court granted a 17-day extension of the Temporary Restraining Order pending the resolution of the case, with the City of Taguig praying for preliminary injunction.[24][25]

Note

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References

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  1. ^ a b Pangilinan, R.M. (May 24, 2013). "IMAGES: Does Makati have a soul?". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  2. ^ "LOOK: Residents choose to relax and unwind at the Taguig People's Park with their friends and loved ones". I Love Taguig (Official Taguig Facebook Profile). City government of Taguig. May 17, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025 – via Facebook.
  3. ^ "Municipal Ordinance 94-183 Proposed Liwasang Makati". Makati Web Portal. July 19, 1994. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "City Ordinance 97-103 Construction of the Makati Park Phase IV". Makati Web Portal. July 15, 1997. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  5. ^ "Environmental Management" (PDF). Makati City Government. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  6. ^ Argosino. "Taguig closes Makati Park and Garden for allegedly lacking mayor's permit". Inquirer.net.
  7. ^ a b Manahan, Job. "Taguig court orders Makati local gov't to turn over EMBO facilities". ABS-CBN. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  8. ^ Villeza, Mark Ernest (May 7, 2025). "Court orders turnover of 'embo' facilities to Taguig". PhilStar Global. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  9. ^ "Environment" (PDF). Makati City Government. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  10. ^ "100-Peso Adventure: Makati Park & Garden & Pasig River". Jovialwanderer.com. April 30, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  11. ^ a b Sembrano, E.A.M. (November 20, 2017). "DPWH topples Bonifacio centennial monument in Makati". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  12. ^ "Makati Park and Garden". Makati Park and Garden. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "City Ordinance No. 2003-070" (PDF). Makati City Government. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  14. ^ "City Ordinance No. 2006-010" (PDF). Makati City Government. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  15. ^ Valenzuela, A. (March 27, 2013). "STAYCATION: Sun, fun, and a swimming pool in the city". Interaksyon. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  16. ^ "SC affirms RTC ruling for Taguig City in territorial dispute with Makati City". Manila Bulletin. April 27, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Mendoza, John Eric (March 1, 2024). "Guards foil Taguig traffic team's attempt to enter Makati park". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Legaspi, Zeus (March 4, 2024). "'Contested park awarded to Makati City by nat'l government'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  19. ^ Ombay, Giselle (March 3, 2024). "Citing no permits, Taguig closes Makati Park and Garden". GMA News Online. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  20. ^ Malacañang Manila, Office of the President of the Philippines (October 14, 2009). "Proclamation No. 1916, s. 2009".
  21. ^ Casilao, Joahna Lei. "Taguig court issues TRO vs. Makati over EMBO barangays". GMA News Online. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  22. ^ "G.R. No. 229106". lawphil.net. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  23. ^ Cruz, James Patrick (May 6, 2025). "Taguig City takes over government facilities in EMBO barangays". Rappler. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  24. ^ Torres-Tupas, Tetch (May 9, 2025). "Taguig court extends TRO vs. Makati over Embo facilities". Inquirer.net. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  25. ^ Pulta, Benjamin (May 9, 2025). "Taguig RTC extends TRO vs. Makati over EMBO row". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
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