Tondaligan Park’s redevelopment starts
BALON DAGUPAN NEWS
MAYOR Belen Fernandez has ordered the start of the redevelopment of Tondaligan Park soon as she arrived from her two-week US study tour when she saw that most of the 160 illegal beach sheds were finally demolished in her absence.
She said the redevelopment plan includes the construction of a baywalk, parking area, clean comfort rooms and shower areas, a bicycle lane.
She had ordered City Administrator Farah Decano to implement the demolition plan before she joined the study tour.
Ordered demolished were sheds-cum-houses and stores, mostly unregistered and whose owners did not pay annual business taxes.
Records showed only 26 had business permits in 2016, only 13 in 2015, seven in 2014, eight in 2013, three in 2012, two in 2011, three in 2010, four in 2009, one in 2008, 2007 and 2006, none in 2005 and also one each in 2004, and 2003.
Of the 70 shed operators, 10 are not from Dagupan City; 29 have other sources of income aside from the owning for-rent sheds; and 19 are without houses, which explains why they made their sheds as their residence.
She said shed operators who will qualify to stay in the park will be provided with just wide beach umbrellas, movable tables and chairs, that can be rented out to beachgoers for fixed regulated amounts.
Meantime, she said the city will continue to clear the area of debris, repair and repaint the existing public comfort rooms and washrooms for beachgoers. (Leonardo Micua)
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