The efforts of the local government administration to create a "new social ambiance" and make the municipality of Baao a "visitor and tourist friendly" is highly commendable. As starter, the refurbished Barlin Park fronting the St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish Church and the adjoining playground is creating an image of openness and sense of hospitality.
Before, whenever I pass the Barlin Park, I somehow had this feeling of nonchalance - an unaccommodating space trapped among the fences surrounding the Barlin Monument. This sense of being in a restrained place hinders movement and gives an air of confusion rather than comfort and relaxation that are suppose to be the complexion of a park.
Now, albeit the scene of padyaks and trimobiles parked along the side road front it, the park provides a feeling of leniency, and indulgent atmosphere that are within the palate of the millennials, the jologs and the "yuppies" like me, - where the spirit of a "welcoming" and a sense of "belonging" is well in the air as you pass by. Evident of which are the people - of all ages - crowding the park as the sun is slowly fading along the silhouette of house roofs. There you can see groups of students- still in their school uniforms - throwing jokes with one another, or parents watching their toddlers strolling along the monument. It is also a rendezvous of not so "oldies", spending their time as they watch commuters heading their way for a ride.
However, there are lots more that needs to be done that are within reach- that, includes declaring the front of the park a "no parking area", especially during afternoon rush hours and market time, and the "pedestrianization" of the market place (which was implemented successfully in Marikina City). This would mean no intrusion of any type of vehicles within and around the vicinity of the marketplace.
There should be define area for padyak and trimobile parking, loading and unloading. The same is true with the delivery and hauling vehicles for loading and unloading of their goods and cargoes. Definitely, it requires political will to install discipline. But the more crucial issue that needs to be address is the installation of safety nets and mitigating measures on the potential negative effects upon the social and moral fabrics of the population with the abrupt influx of visitors and tourists. It is a common knowledge that anti-social crimes, like, prostitution, child trafficking, flesh trading and drug induced crimes come with tourism. But this is another story.
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