We might have to one day say goodbye to the nature parks and wildlife located in the Quezon City Memorial Circle as Quezon City mayoral candidate and current 1st District Rep. Vincent Crisologo proposed in a press conference to put up a multi-purpose auditorium in its place.
“My plan is to build [an] auditorium there, tayo na lang walang auditorium. Air-conditioned na multi-purpose na pwedeng basketball court, lahat meron na,” he said in a statement. He cited big cities like Manila, Caloocan, San Juan, and Makati who have their own identifiable sports arenas and auditoriums while Quezon City doesn’t have one yet. Crisologo says that with the Memorial Circle’s poor planning, it needs to be revamped as a recreational spot. “It’s a big space ano, kulang lang sa planning. Kasi ang nangyari noon, may maisipan sila [tapos] tayo rito, may maisipan sila [tapos] tayo roon. There is no general planning. So I think we should re-plan the circle.”
Quezon City 2nd District Rep. and Chairperson of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development Winston Castelo, however, opposed the idea immediately. He worries that such a big project will wreck the natural beauty and the historical value of the Memorial Circle.
Building an auditorium, he said, will also “desecrate” the remains of former President Manuel L. Quezon which currently lie in a mausoleum located there. Frequent parkgoers will also lose a space where they can stroll and relax. Castelo likewise predicts that the auditorium will cause even heavier traffic around the Memorial Circle.
“The place would not be appropriate. It would compromise the beauty of the place as serene and tranquil,” he said.
What are your issues with this proposal? Sound off in the comments section below!
Photo taken by Patrick Roque, via Wikipedia
