MANILA, Philippines – With summer just around the corner, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. launched the new Swimming Pool Complex at the La Mesa Ecopark in Fairview, Quezon City on Saturday in the hope of continuously preserving the watershed.

Spearheaded by ABS-CBN Foundation Managing Director Gina Lopez, the new swimming pool complex was opened to the public so people can have an alternative place to spend time in this summer.

La Mesa Ecopark, a watershed owned by Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), boasts of these newly created pools as additions to the existing attractions in the park.

Present at the event were Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, former Senator Jamby Madrigal and MWSS Chair Ramon Alikpala.

In his opening remarks, Bautista thanked Lopez for her initiative to develop the entire area.

He cited that the place will be useful especially to swimmers who are competing in national and international competitions.

“With the initiative of Gina Lopez, we are able to develop the entire thing as a tourist destination for QC. Swimmers from Quezon City used to go to Amoranto Stadium to train. This time dahil malapit na dito, [at] olympic size na ito, dito na. Malaking bagay sa mga athletes natin ito [na] panlaban natin sa national, international competitions,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, Madrigal, the prime contributor in the fund-raising for this attraction, said she is elated to have become an instrument in developing the complex because it is really for the people. Madrigal used her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in funding the project.

“I’m really happy to see that these pools are being put to good use. We all know the work that Gina has done in the ecopark together with the local government... It is a project that will benefit thousands and thousands of people... Para sa akin, ito ay magandang project kasi nakakabigay ng benepisyo sa maraming tao,” she said.

Keeping true to her advocacy, Lopez expressed her gratitude to the guests of honor who were there for actively taking part in sustaining the Save La Mesa Watershed Project.

She also acknowledged everyone’s generous support in making this dream happen.

Lopez said in an interview that while summer is nearing, this is her way for the Philippines’ second largest city to have a premiere summer destination which is at the same time ecological.

The new facility includes a 25-meter lap pool with 6 lanes, which is 5 to 8 feet deep, and a salt water pool suitable for children, approximately 2 to 4 feet deep.

La Mesa Ecopark is at the La Mesa Dam Compound, Greater Lagro, Quezon City. Park hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily including holidays. For reservations and inquiries, call (632) 430-4051, e-mail lamesaecopark@abs-cbn.com, or visit www.lamesaecopark.com.

abs-cbnNEWS.com is the online news department of ABS-CBN Interactive Inc., a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corp.