Informal settlers used to hinder the flow of the Talisay River, which spans Barangays Talisay and Bagumbayan, creating a blockade that prevented river water from flowing through.
But due to the efforts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the area is now a 290-linear-meter green space, part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program aimed at recovering legal easement areas.
The said project provides vital recreational and ecological benefits to the community.
To achieve the 290-linear-meter green space along the Talisay River, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Dinalupihan focused on three Key Result Areas (KRAs) to successfully implement the project.
Under KRA 1 (Liquid Waste Management), the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) regularly monitors the Talisay River to ensure that water quality meets established environmental standards.
Through KRA 2 (Solid Waste Management), 13 trash traps were strategically placed along the river and are maintained by local River Rangers.
In KRA 3 (Informal Settler Families Management), a total of 216 informal settler families (ISFs) from Barangays Bagumbayan and Talisay were relocated to a housing project in Barangay Tenejero, facilitated by the City Government of Balanga in June 2023.
The newly completed park features amenities such as concrete benches, plant boxes, solar lighting, and a variety of landscaped flora, including carabao grass, Thai bamboo, Eugenia, variegated Eugenia, golden Becha palm trees, and imported yucca.
Additional developments include the installation of a bamboo gate and perimeter fence, potted flowering plants, waste bins, and informational, educational, and communication (IEC) materials.
According to CENRO Dinalupihan, plans for Phase 2 of the project are currently underway, pending the final design proposal from the City Engineering Office of LGU Balanga. This next phase is expected to further enhance the site's accessibility, safety, and environmental sustainability.
Reflecting on the success of the initiative, DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph C. Pablo emphasized the department’s commitment to inclusive and transformative environmental action.
DENR, in coordination with LGU Balanga, continues to carry out routine monitoring and patrolling of the site to safeguard the developments made and ensure the park remains a lasting legacy of collective action and stewardship.