There's a park in Baluan, South Cotabato dedicated to...balut!

Balut has along put the Philippines in the culinary map but strangely, we've built no monument to celebrate and honour it.

Enter the LGU of Baluan in South Cotabato's General Santos City.

Much like Pateros, Barangay Baluan is home to numerous balut vendors. It is where South Cotabato's First District Rep, Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles would go whenever she craved for the delicacy, Baluan Barangay Captain Armand Diamente says.

"It was during her frequent visits that she noticed the plight of our vendors," Kap Armand said in a statement. "The vendors were set to be displayed by road widening projects of the city."

And so an idea came to her mind: Why not turn the humble plaza into a tourist attraction that will honor the humble balut?

The lawmaker approached the LGU with her idea and after a series of meetings with stakeholders, construction of the Baluan Balut Park commenced.

Barangay officials only thought it was going to be a series of pathways and  a lighted fountain for the enjoyment of kids, but the lawmaker from General Santos City "wanted to build an iconic landmark for the city and the same time secure permanent livelihood for the constituents."

Last December, the Baluan Balut Park opened with much aplomb. A giant egg structure stands tall and proud in the middle of the plaza. It comes to life with stunning lights of violent turquoise, and green, as as myriad of water streams adds to its allure.

Behind the giant balut structure are six circular pods, spaces that balut vendors can rent to sell their products to hungry residents enjoying the park. The circular pods have white umbrellas that don't just provide shade in the day time, but also pay tribute to the humble balut.

Complementing the availability of fertilized duck egg are other food options for all to enjoy. Vendors of toys and balloons have also set up shop at the park.

“Our desire is for the park to become a catalyst for economic activity and development in this part of the city. We also hope to decongest our main business district by drawing more people here.” Congresswoman Bañas related
in an interview.

“Let’s give the people the service they deserve.”

Since the park's opening, demand of balut has risen — so much so that supply is now being brought in from adjacent South Cotabato, Iloilo, and even Pateros. The Animal Production - Duck Raising Program of TEDSA has been introduced to poultry farmers and entrepreneurs looking to invest in duck raising and egg production, too.

Meanwhile, residents near the park have also benefitted from the park. Incidents of public disturbances have gone down in the area, for one. And the increased economic activity has inspired them to open small home-based businesses to cater to the daily crowd.

The Baluan Balut Park is a testament to how green, open spaces can transform a city. Here's hoping more parks and open spaces like the Baluan Balut Park open around the country. — LA, GMA News