THE Valenzuela City government has once again received recognition, this time after securing a ‘Galing Pook Award’ as one of the 2026 Ten Outstanding Local Governance Programs for its initiative: “Building Spaces in a Spaceless City.”
Mayor Wes Gatchalian, who personally accepted the award during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace, told Good Riddance that the city’s winning entry showcased Valenzuela’s multi-awarded parks and open spaces.
As Valenzuela continues to evolve into a highly-urbanized and industrialized city, finding room for the community has become an increasing challenge.
Boasting of 31 parks and open spaces for public use, Valenzuela has its ‘most-well known’ the Valenzuela City People’s Park, a central gathering place for ‘Valenzuelanos’ for school and family activities.
Other open and green spaces include the City Family Park, ‘Pamilyang Valenzuelano’ Park, and Polo Park, which combine lush greenery with spacious areas for relaxation.
Rather than allowing neglected areas to gather dust and junk, the city government put the empty spaces beneath the NLEX Harbor Link to productive use.
“Through a partnership with NLEX Corporation, these areas were transformed into recreational zones known as the Skate Park and Paw Park—the former dedicated to cycling, skateboarding, and physical recreation, while the latter serves as an activity area where families can bond with their beloved pets,” he said.
The city government said that spaces atop flood dikes and river walls were likewise converted into meaningful areas such as the Valenzuela Boardwalk and Polo Riverwalk—7.3-kilometer-long recreational spaces for exercise and cycling.
This demonstrates the city’s continued innovation in designing structures that serve dual purposes: flood mitigation and communal areas that promote an active lifestyle among Valenzuelanos.
“With this recognition from the Galing Pook Awards, the city’s commitment to innovation and livability is further reinforced—a pledge to continuously improve the quality of life of every Valenzuelano,” the city chief executive added.
