Authorities successfully transformed a 65-hectare former sanitary landfill in Barangay Lantic, Carmona, Cavite, into the MMDA Nature Park. This urban renewal project features open green spaces, a bamboo pavilion, a KADIWA ng Bayan store, and a Disaster Preparedness Training Center, turning what was once a massive dumping ground into a popular ecotourism destination for the local community and visitors.
A Remarkable Transformation: From Dumpsite to Public Park
The MMDA Nature Park stands on land that was once the Carmona Sanitary Landfill. In operation between April 1993 and March 1998, the site received approximately 23 million cubic meters of unsorted refuse, including household products, electronic equipment, and other wastes, leading to severe environmental complaints from surrounding communities . After lying abandoned for years, the site was redeveloped following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s urban renewal directive. The MMDA, which managed the original landfill, led the transformation, opening a rehabilitated green space that now serves as a "green lung" for Cavite residents .
Located at approximately 200 meters above sea level, the park offers a cool upland climate and has been praised by visitors as a refreshing, relaxing place. A review describes it as a "refreshing, nice place to run, jog and bike ride," while another notes it's an "aesthetic place to chill" for picnics and dates with friends or family.
Key Features and Community Impact
The park offers a variety of features that cater to both recreation and community welfare. Paved routes meander through lush greenery, providing dedicated paths for jogging, walking, and biking, while open grassy areas are ideal for weekend family picnics and nature walks .
A designated KADIWA ng Bayan Store, under the KADIWA ng Pangulo program, offers budget-friendly agricultural products to visitors and locals, supporting the national government's goal of making affordable goods accessible . Supporting ecological conservation, a seedling nursery propagates bamboo, a key resource for the MMDA's natural flood mitigation initiatives . The site also houses a Disaster Preparedness Training Center, serving as a dedicated venue for emergency response, rescue training, and disaster resilience programs.
