Plaza Divisoria, also known as Golden Friendship Park, located in the heart of Cagayan de Oro City, has been transformed into a more climate-resilient urban green space after a six-month rehabilitation project costing ₱50 million. Dubbed “Project Lunhaw” (lunhaw means green in Cebuano), the initiative was completed in time for the 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration. The project aims to create a walkable, bikable, and green urban space, featuring more plants and permeable concrete pavements to absorb rainwater, addressing the city’s frequent flooding issues. Mayor Rolando Uy led the reopening ceremony, highlighting monuments honoring national heroes like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, President Ramon Magsaysay, and former mayor Justiniano Borja, who played a key role in the city’s development. Patrick Gabutina, chair of Project Lunhaw, noted that the park’s transformation is most visible at night, with ongoing renovations for two parks within Plaza Divisoria, including the area with Bonifacio’s monument, where local heroes’ remains are buried. The plaza, constructed in 1902 as a fire breach, has a rich history, including its Kiosko Kagawasan, a site of protests during the 1986 EDSA and EDSA II revolts. The rehabilitation ensures accessibility for persons with disabilities, with pathways, benches, and plans for a small fountain near Bonifacio’s monument. Gabutina emphasized the project’s value, calling it “money well spent.”
