Known as Manila's "Last Lung," Arroceros Forest Park was once home to a market, a garrison, and other government buildings. The Central Terminal of the LRT 1 line provides easy access to the park. Both SM City Manila and Manila City Hall may be reached on foot in less than five minutes.
Did you know?
The 2.1 hectare Arroceros Forest Park is the only existing forest park in Metro Manila today. In 1993, the City of Manila bought the lot of the Arroceros forest park from Landbank using the Special Education Fund.
At present, the forest park is home to 6 kinds of birds, indigenous plants like palms, flowering trees, and century old trees.
The 2.1 hectare Arroceros Forest Park is the only existing forest park in Metro Manila today. In 1993, the City of Manila bought the lot of the Arroceros forest park from Landbank using the Special Education Fund.
At present, the forest park is home to 6 kinds of birds, indigenous plants like palms, flowering trees, and century old trees.
What is Natural Regeneration?
Arroceros was planted with 3,000 seedlings in 1993 by Winner Foundation, with the goal of turning it into a mini-forest. Through the years, the saplings grew into tall trees with a closed canopy. Winner, as the park’s caretaker, allowed natural regeneration to take place by minimizing disturbance of the park and providing water when needed. Leaf litter was allowed to stay under the trees, making the soil fertile and allowing seeds brought in by wind, birds and other animals to germinate, thereby naturally increasing the forest population.
As a forest park, Arroceros is envisioned to be a showcase of the richness of our country’s natural environment and the beneficial effect of letting natural processes take their course.
Arroceros was planted with 3,000 seedlings in 1993 by Winner Foundation, with the goal of turning it into a mini-forest. Through the years, the saplings grew into tall trees with a closed canopy. Winner, as the park’s caretaker, allowed natural regeneration to take place by minimizing disturbance of the park and providing water when needed. Leaf litter was allowed to stay under the trees, making the soil fertile and allowing seeds brought in by wind, birds and other animals to germinate, thereby naturally increasing the forest population.
As a forest park, Arroceros is envisioned to be a showcase of the richness of our country’s natural environment and the beneficial effect of letting natural processes take their course.
Birds of the Arroceros Forest Park
Birdwatchers have been monitoring the Arroceros Forest Park since 2002, initially only ten common urban bird species such as Zebra Dove, Yellow-vented BulBul, Pacific Swallow have been recorded in the park while Whiskered Tern and Little Egret were seen in the adjacent Pasig River.
Over the years as the trees matured, flowered, bore fruit, and repopulated the park, the undergrowth flourished and attracted more bird species, butterflies and other insects. Today 32 bird species have been recorded in the park including Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Collared Kingfisher, Black-naped Oriole and even Large-billed Crow.
With more species of native trees to be planted, it is certain that more species of birds and other wildlife will also make the Arroceros Forest Park their home.
Birdwatchers have been monitoring the Arroceros Forest Park since 2002, initially only ten common urban bird species such as Zebra Dove, Yellow-vented BulBul, Pacific Swallow have been recorded in the park while Whiskered Tern and Little Egret were seen in the adjacent Pasig River.
Over the years as the trees matured, flowered, bore fruit, and repopulated the park, the undergrowth flourished and attracted more bird species, butterflies and other insects. Today 32 bird species have been recorded in the park including Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, Collared Kingfisher, Black-naped Oriole and even Large-billed Crow.
With more species of native trees to be planted, it is certain that more species of birds and other wildlife will also make the Arroceros Forest Park their home.
Arroceros Forest Park Ordinance (Manila City Ordinance 8607)
The Save Arroceros Movement (SAM) is a network of NGOs, student organizations, private institutions, and individuals which was convened in 2018 to protect the Arroceros Forest park from the plan of the city government to build a gym inside if for the Universidad de Manila.
Various organization led by the Winner Foundation and Manila Doctors Hospital, including Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society, Earth Island Institute, Wild Bird Club of the Philipppines, Pamanlahi, Center for Energy, Ecology and Development, and student organizations from schools based in Manila met in July 2018 and decided to launch a People’s Initiative, as provided for under R.A. 6735 “The initiative and Referendum Act,” to declare Arroceros as a permanent forest park. This required the signatures of at least 1,000 registered voters of Manila for it to be officially submitted to the City Council.
While petition was being circulated, Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and some City Councilors met with the SAM members. The City Council then proceeded to file the ordinance that would protect the park.
When Mayor Isko Domagoso Moreno took over as Manila City Mayor, SAM met with him in July 2019 and he promised to protect Arroceros.
With support from Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and the City Council, this promise was fulfilled in February 2020 when Mayor Isko Domagoso Moreno, signed into law Manila City Ordinance 8607, known as the “Arroceros Forest Park Ordinance.”
Under this ordinance, cutting of trees, dumping of waste and excavation is prohibited within the area.
The Save Arroceros Movement (SAM) is a network of NGOs, student organizations, private institutions, and individuals which was convened in 2018 to protect the Arroceros Forest park from the plan of the city government to build a gym inside if for the Universidad de Manila.
Various organization led by the Winner Foundation and Manila Doctors Hospital, including Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society, Earth Island Institute, Wild Bird Club of the Philipppines, Pamanlahi, Center for Energy, Ecology and Development, and student organizations from schools based in Manila met in July 2018 and decided to launch a People’s Initiative, as provided for under R.A. 6735 “The initiative and Referendum Act,” to declare Arroceros as a permanent forest park. This required the signatures of at least 1,000 registered voters of Manila for it to be officially submitted to the City Council.
While petition was being circulated, Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and some City Councilors met with the SAM members. The City Council then proceeded to file the ordinance that would protect the park.
When Mayor Isko Domagoso Moreno took over as Manila City Mayor, SAM met with him in July 2019 and he promised to protect Arroceros.
With support from Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and the City Council, this promise was fulfilled in February 2020 when Mayor Isko Domagoso Moreno, signed into law Manila City Ordinance 8607, known as the “Arroceros Forest Park Ordinance.”
Under this ordinance, cutting of trees, dumping of waste and excavation is prohibited within the area.
The Manuel L. Quezon Bridge, often known as the Quezon Bridge, is a prestressed concrete girder and combined arch bridge that spans the Pasig River in Manila, Philippines, connecting Padre Burgos Avenue in Ermita with Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge served as inspiration for the design of this Art Deco-style arch bridge. When it was first built, Manuel L. Quezon was the president of the Philippines, and he was honored with the name. After being destroyed in World War II, it was reconstructed in 1946.
Here are more details:
Address: 659 A Antonio Villegas St, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday ( 7:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Contact Number: +63 270061593
Email Address: [email protected]
Facebook Page: arrocerosforestparkofficial
Instagram: arroceros.mnl_
Rates: Free
Address: 659 A Antonio Villegas St, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday ( 7:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Contact Number: +63 270061593
Email Address: [email protected]
Facebook Page: arrocerosforestparkofficial
Instagram: arroceros.mnl_
Rates: Free
