19/04/2026
Hope Floats: Working with
Local Government
Pasig City LGU &
Mayor Vico Sotto
alao had the honor of collaborating with the Pasig Local Government Unit (LGU) and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who have built a reputation on good governance, to envision a connected parkland strategy for their city.
The Pasig LGU set out areas and criteria through extensive data collection and site visits that point to optimal opportunities and challenges to address. Decades of unregulated industrialization, unplanned housing and political neglect transformed the Pasig River, a once lush life-giving artery of Manila, into one the most polluted bodies of water in the world
“Beyond simply creating new parks, the city wants residents to take part in “designing, building, and managing or operating these parks — and not just be mere visitors,”
Mayor Vico Sotto
Prototypes on water and land engaged residents, with Pasig City gathering input to help shape a shared vision for the future.
A barge docked on-site became a living lab—testing the floating park concept and capturing real-time feedback from residents.
The pilot structure demonstrated how the platforms could function as playgrounds, pocket parks, gardens, or multipurpose community spaces.
Designed for People - shaped by Place and Memory
Read more at
www.alao.design
