City of Koronadal Unveils Project Design of Muslim Memorial Park
A historic gathering celebrated the official unveiling of the project design of the proposed City of Koronadal Muslim Memorial Park at Purok Garfin, Barangay Paraiso, City of Koronadal, last May 14, 2025.
In his message, City ENRO Augustus Bretaña shared the story behind the project’s five-year journey. He described the complex legal processes, including the extensive land surveys, relocations, and extensive public consultations with the affected residents. Bretaña recalled that it was a long and challenging process, especially the public consultations. According to him, the area looks very much different now than it did five years ago.
“Matagal na ho ito eh, mga five years, before pandemic, 2019. Bakit napakahirap? Kung ano ang lugar na ito ngayon, hindi ito ang aktwal. Napakasukal, napakaraming tanim, binungkal po namin ito. Masyadong mahabang proseso ang nangyari….Napakahirap ng pinagdaan kung bakit ito yong property na nakita namin, may re-surveys na nangyari kasi hindi ma-determine kung saan ang mga boundaries….may relocation and public consultations. Ang madugo yong public consultations,” Bretaña recalled.
Bretaña also expressed immense gratitude to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the support in securing the Gratuitous Special Permit necessary for the access road for the proposed memorial park.
On the otherhand, OIC-Vice Mayor and Councilor Ma. Ester M. Catorce, reaffirmed the city government’s commitment to the project under the leadership of City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena, with the support of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
“Ito ay pangarap ng ating Mayor Bebot Ogena na meron kayong space, sa pamamahala sa Lungsod ng Koronadal. Hindi kayo taken for granted. Asahan niyo, through our Mayor, of course sa suporta ng Sangguniang Panlungsod…talagang binibigyang-diin ng administrasyong ito ang Tri-People, dapat sabay-sabay na umaangat at natutulungan….Tuloy-tuloy kami sa proyektong ito at kaming lahat magtutulungan, alay po namin ito para sa mga kapatid nating Muslim”, Catorce stated.
Councilor John Rey “Chow” Rodriguez, the author of Resolution No. 4, Series of 2023, which authorizes the mayor to enter into and sign the Deed of Absolute Sale for the acquisition of the land from the Ayob family, highlighted that the current administration values inclusive governance, where it seeks to support the Tri-People who are peacefully residing in the city.
“Nang sinabihan ako ni Mayor Ogena na pumunta sa kanya ang Muslim community para hilingin na magkaroon ng disenteng himlayan ang mga kapatid nating Muslim, hindi nagdalawang isip ang ating alkalde, Mayor Bebot Ogena, kasi si Mayor suportado niya po ang inklusibong pamamahala dito sa Lungsod ng Koronadal. Hindi naman lingid sa ating kaalaman na ang naninirahan po dito sa Koronadal ay tri-people, hindi lamang Kristiano, kundi pati lumad at lalong lalo na po ang mga kapatid nating Muslim na naninirahan at nagkakaisang naninirahan dito sa mahal nating lungsod”, Rodriguez shared.
Meanwhile, an emotional response from Bai Princess Basariya Ayob’s underscored the significance of the project not only for her family but entire muslim community in the city. She expressed how grateful their family and the Moro community is to Mayor Ogena, who is a Christian, for fulfilling their dream to have a dignified memorial park. Ayob sold her family’s 24,573 sqm property to the city government in 2014 at a very minimal amount of P1,960,000.00.
“Hindi pa Mayor si Mayor Ogena, nakita ko ang kanyang 10-Point Agenda, isa po sa nakita ko is yong Muslim Public Cemetery po, so iba yong pakiramdam ko, overwhelming sa side ko na may isang Christian leader na binigyan kami ng halaga na mga muslim, sorry emotional ako. Humiling talaga ako kay Allah na if ever na si Mayor Ogena ay makakabuti po sa community ng Koronadal City na manalo siya. Ibinigay talaga ni Allah ang sign na hiniling ko…..Hindi ko talaga ma-explain kung ano ako ka saya na binigyan tayo ng pagpapahalaga na mabigyan tayo ng desenteng libingan. Malaking pasalamat ko sa administrasyong Ogena at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng city government of Koronadal…..Thank you Mayor, salamat sa lahat!”, Ayob shared.
Further, Uztads Abet Abubakar echoed his sentiments, expressing immense gratitude, joy, and anticipation for the park’s construction of the said Memorial Park.
“Parang hindi ako makapaniwala, nandito na tayo, nakikita ko na napakaganda ng landscape. Kaya ang tanging masasabi ko, maraming salamat. Isa sa mga nais kong pasalamatan ang ating sister na si Bai Princess Riya, kayo at ang kanyang brother Datu Jack Ayob. Halos wala akong maisip na sabihin kundi pasalamat talaga. Itong programang ito ng city government talagang napakaganda po at ito’y sasabihin ko sa inyo tutularan ito ng mga iba’t-ibang lugar at pupurihin yong ating mga leaders dito sa Koronadal City “, Abubakar said.
The said activity was also graced by several dignitaries, including SP members—Councilors Ellen Grace Subere-Albios, Mark Lapidez, and Eina Jumilla; the Muslim leaders and members of the Muslim community; representatives from the national government agencies; Barangay Paraiso officials; and the employees of the city government of Koronadal.
The event serves as a powerful symbol of unity and progress and a testament to dedication and collaboration, which represents a significant milestone not only for the city government of Koronadal but for the entire Muslim community in the city.