The Parklinks Bridge, a bridge connecting Pasig City and Quezon City was formally inaugurated last Nov. 28. It was developed by Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and Eton Properties Philippines Inc. (EPPI).
Inspired by modern European bridges, the infrastructure is part of the 35-hectare Parklinks development, a green urban estate in Metro Manila that dedicates 50 percent of its land to open spaces. It stretches 110 meters long and 25 meters wide, with dedicated lanes for bikers and pedestrians.
The inauguration, which was accompanied by a lights and sounds show, was attended by executives from Ayala and Eton, led by business tycoons Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Lucio Tan, as well as members of local government units in Pasig and Quezon City, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
A shared vision
In his opening remarks, Robert Lao, senior vice president of ALI, recognized how their company has had a considerable presence in the progressive cities of Pasig and Quezon City, but wanted to add further comfort to the lives of their citizens.
“We wanted to have a more significant impact and be able to reach out to more people by bringing in what we do best: a constant, master-planned, sustainable, and mixed-use community,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to EPPI for taking the opportunity to collaborate with ALI, allowing them to turn their shared vision into a reality.
“Both parties believe that it is important to find the balance between profitability and sustainability and our shared belief led us to create an estate that will introduce a new way of urban living,” Lao said.
Lao also emphasized how the Parklinks development, through its use of open spaces, redefined the way of living, working, and playing in an urban setting, starting with the Parklinks Bridge.
“Tonight, we inaugurate the Parklinks Bridge, the most iconic feature of the estate that enhances connectivity in this part of the Metro. Indeed, this bridge symbolizes a partnership that contributes to nation-building, a union of two cities and two companies that share a common goal. I hope this continues to be a fruitful partnership and I wish all of us success in our future endeavors,” he said.
For growth and development
EPPI executive director Kyle Tan placed the spotlight on one of the many strengths of Parklinks, which is the integration of greeneries and urban living, as exemplified by the Parklinks Bridge.
“We wanted people to be able to have the best of both worlds in the sense that we wanted people to have the convenience of living in a highly urban location without feeling the congestion or the hustle and bustle that an urbanized location generally brings,” he told guests at the inauguration.
Tan said Parklinks Bridge is indeed a symbol of a union between two companies and two cities.
“It really makes me proud and satisfied seeing the estate and seeing how it was before and seeing that transformation to what it is now,” Tan said. “Culminating into the opening of the bridge today, it is very iconic. I’m very inspired. It’s really a world-class bridge and this is the symbolic representation of the beginning of partners.”
Pasig City mayor Vico Sotto explained how the event is more than just a simple inauguration of a bridge.
“To us, this signifies the sustainable growth and development of this property,” he said. “We were so happy to hear that we will be maintaining a lot of open spaces. Ibig sabihin, hindi natin tatayuan at uubusin ang lupa para sa mga gusali. It is really great news for us that we will be maintaining the open spaces, we will be developing the riversides, and we will be maintaining the green spaces, if not improving on them.”
Sotto congratulated ALI and EPPI for the efforts they brought to develop Parklinks and its many green features and offered the help of Pasig City towards its sustainable future.
“This is, indeed, a team effort. Whatever the city government of Pasig can do to help, nandito lang po kami. Congratulations sa ating lahat!” the mayor said.
An infrastructure for the people
Representing Quezon City mayor Joy Belmonte, vice mayor Gian Sotto shared how the Parklinks Bridge will grant many opportunities to both the people of Quezon City and Pasig City.
“This bridge will lead you to places where there are endless possibilities and opportunities. Countless people from both cities will benefit from the construction of the Parklinks Bridge because, through this newly-built structure, the residents who are from each city can easily reach their workplaces without having to endure long hours of congested traffic,” he said.
Sotto also extended Quezon City’s commendations to the people of ALI and EPPI who made the project a successful reality, specifically the inclusion of lanes for bikers and pedestrians.
“Through these modern designs and provisions for sustainable development, as a supporter of safe and convenient commuting, I praise the inclusion of lanes for both bikers and pedestrians,” he said. “This bridge will undoubtedly become a popular tourist destination in addition to acting as a connecting structure.
“Together, let us continue to shape a better city by building infrastructures that will help our residents and will ease their lives,” he said.
After the remarks, top executives of ALI and EPPI, along with mayor Sotto and vice mayor Sotto, officially inaugurated the Parklinks Bridge by starting the lights and sounds show, which showcased Philips Color Kineticks LED lights by Signify Philippines, installed by Lythaus Lighting Supply. Different colors of light were shown on the bridge while covers of Christmas songs played in the background, to every guest’s delight.
Parklinks will be accessible via C-5, Amang Rodriguez Avenue, and Ortigas Avenue. ALI and EPPI also have plans to include additional linkages to the estate’s neighboring communities, like Circulo Verde and Metropoli.
* * *
For more updates, visit https://www.parklinks.ph/ and www.ayalaland.com.ph. You may also access Parklinks and Ayala Land on social media via Facebook (@ParklinksPH and @officialayalaland) and on Instagram (@parklinks and @ayalaland).