Paseo del Mar, Zamboanga City (November 2013)

Finally! Paseo del Mar, the city's premiere promenade by the sea has been re-opened to the public since last week after it was closed down following the 20-day firefight between soldiers and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels last September. 

The Paseo del Mar with its multi-million musically gyrating dancing fountain is just within “shooting distance” from the barangays of Rio Hondo, Mariki, Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, and Kasangyangan, the battlegrounds during the three-week standoff.
The usual promenaders -- joggers or just plain visitors -- shied away from the Paseo del Mar at the height of the conflict.

 

 

Curfew still on 
Vicente Larato of the city information office said although the park opened to the public, promenaders at the Paseo will still have to go home before midnight due to the curfew still in place from 12 midnight to 4 a.m.

Weekend and daily promenaders go to Paseo del Mar to enjoy the cool sea breeze and dine at various restobars and food stalls in the area.

Joggers and bikers also troop to Paseo del Mar as early as 5 a.m.

The reopening of Paseo del Mar signals the city’s return to normalcy after the standoff even as recovery and rehabilitation efforts of the city government are gaining momentum with the support of the different government and non-government agencies.

With the onset of the Yuletide season, Paseo del Mar will once again come to life as both entertainment complexes are adorned with colorful Christmas lights and decors, to the delight of the promenaders, especially children, Larato said.  (interaksyon.com)