Architects propose waterfronts, esplanade walks for Marawi city

An architecture firm, which has expressed an interest to help rehabilitate Marawi City, on Wednesday has laid out proposals to develop esplanade walks, parks, and construct wider roads.

On the report of GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo's report for "24 Oras," Palafox Associates planned to develop a waterfront at the Lanao Lake area, which is a main source of livelihood for the people. The Agos River, meanwhile, can be transformed into a park where people could take leiseurely walks.

"Waterfront development. Puwede pa tayong mag-lagay ng esplanade walks, open parks, gardens. Magiginig primary real estate rin po ang waterfront," said Antonio Miguel Ramos, a planner for Palafox Associates.

They said that a commercial area, especially one with climate similar to Baguio and Tagaytay, should be able to entice residents to take walks around the city.

Palafox Associates founder Felino Palafox Jr., who has visited Marawi, observed that the city's roads have to be widened.

"Kasi, usually, kapag sa commercial, at least may three meters ka na set-back. Wala. Sagad na sila. Tapos five, six-meter road. Wala nang sidewalk," said the firm's vice president, architect Miguel Castro.

ARMM Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong, who speaks for the city's Crisis Management Committee, said residents should be included in plans to rehabilitate their home city.

"We need also to strengthen 'yung communication line natin para maintindihan ng tao, bayan na itong plano na ito ay resulta ng tatlong buwang malawakang pagsasagawa ng mga workshop," he said, referring to a joint forum wherein the proposal was completed.

"Kailangan talaga, mayroong acceptance doon sa mga tao," Adiong reiterated.

According to the report, careful panning would be needed for the construction of the residential area, public market, park, commercial district, and schools.

According to Lanao del Sur officials and representatives of different government agencies and organizations will have to discuss proposals to develop the city in order to formulate a master plan. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News