Forest caretakers to Manila LGU: Remove cars, stop gym construction

The Winner Foundation—the current caretaker of the Arroceros Forest Park in Ermita—over the weekend called on the local government of Manila to remove impounded vehicles dumped in the forest, and reconsider the construction of a gymnasium in the area.

In a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend," the foundation said they were informed that the city government is now planning to put up a gymnasium in the park, which they are now opposing.

"I think it's impossible to put that eh. Hindi bagay sa gubat 'yun eh. Mayor, alam namin na pag nakausap namin kayo, ay hindi niyo pababayaan na matanggal itong forest na ito," Winner Foundation chairperson Regina Paterno said in the report, appealing to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Paterno also appealed that the government remove the impounded vehicles which are now being dumped in the park.

"Tumawag ako sa City Hall, nagtanong ako doon, tapos sabi nila kasi wala silang lalagyan. Lately, I mentioned it again. Sabi naman nila kasi subject to COA [Commission on Audit] hindi nila maalis," she said.

The Arroceros Forest is one of the remaining forested areas in Manila, home to an estimated 4,000 trees. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News