THE much-heralded re-development plan for the city’s Tondaligan park, one of northern Luzon’s biggest national park at 72 hectares, has finally started.

The plan was launched just two weeks after the massive devastation of sheds and cottages in the area as a result of wind surge created by the then exiting typhoon “Mina”.

The Tondaligan was proclaimed as a national park thru Proclamation No. 98 issued by then President Diosdado Macapagal on March 26,1963.

City Administrator Alvin Fernandez outlined the park’s redevelopment plan during a consultative meeting with members of the Tondaligan Vendors Cooperative on December 3.

About 15 members of the Tondaligan Vendors Cooperative endorsed the plan that seeks not only to improve the physical make-up of the park but also to institute environmental management on the city’s marine resources.

Romeo Rosario, city development coordinator, presented the conceptual plan of the project in that meeting also attended by City Engineer Ma. Virginia Rosario, City Legal Officer George Mejia and City Information Officer Ryan Ravanzo.

Under the plan, the sheds will be relocated 30 meters away from the shoreline and reconstructed into 3 meter by 3 meter-structures.

A maximum of 120 sheds, divided into four clusters, will be allowed to operate in the area. Each cluster, composed of 25 to 30 sheds, will use a common area for cooking, bath and restrooms.

There would be 209 sheds to be constructed, from the 216 original sheds.

The Redevelopment Program involves the rehabilitation of the park into “a safe, attractive, and wholesome recreational area for local residents and tourists” in order to restore its image as one of the best tourist destinations in Pangasinan.

Under the program, major improvements shall be introduced, like landscaping and tree planting; public facilities such as restrooms, first-aid clinic, and information center; Civic/Administration Center, pedestrian facilities such as sidewalks, jogging and bicycle lanes, and promenade, lighting system, street furniture, signages and sheds children’s park facilities; picnic grounds, utilities; pay parking area; waste disposal system and lifeguard outposts.

Private investors will also be invited to put up convenience stores, souvenir shops, coffee shops, fitness centers, food establishments, hotels and apartelles, and water sports facilities.

Officials said certain portions of the park will be up for lease to locators for a certain period. They may develop the leased area in accordance with the master development plan of the park.

Any existing or future use incompatible with the city government’s objective of transforming the park into a safe, attractive, wholesome and sustainable recreation and tourism area will not be allowed.

Under the plan, on the long term, the city jail, the dumpsite and the public cemetery in Bonuan Boquig will be relocated to more suitable sites.

The beach sheds will occupy a more than 12 hectare area situated along the Bonuan Blue Beach extending from Paras Road to Ayusip Road in Barangay Bonuan Gueset. (PNA)