A riverside rehabilitation project under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program is creating livelihood opportunities, boosting tourism, and promoting environmental protection in the coastal town of Sasmuan, Pampanga.
The 1,300-square-meter Sasmuan Linear Park has become a popular destination for visitors while providing additional income for fisherfolk, women, and other residents through tourism-related activities and small businesses. The municipal government also established a coffee shop within the park to further support local livelihoods.
Sasmuan Mayor Catalina Cabrera said the park has attracted schools and organizations for mangrove planting activities and visits to the town’s mangrove nursery, generating economic opportunities for the community.
Federation of Sasmuan Fisherfolk Association Inc. President Reynaldo Basco said the park has also become a venue for recreation and community activities, benefiting both residents and tourists.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said the project demonstrates how environmental rehabilitation can deliver long-term social, economic, and ecological benefits by transforming river easements into public spaces, reducing pollution, and preventing the return of informal settlements along waterways.
Completed in June 2025 through the partnership of the DENR, the Sasmuan local government, and the Federation of Sasmuan Fisherfolk Association Inc., the linear park features gazebos, landscaped gardens, bridges, and other amenities that promote environmental conservation and community engagement.
