BAGUIO CITY – The city government of Baguio has reiterated its desire to develop Burnham Park, the city’s premier tourist destination.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the state-owned Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) assured city officials that the previous P400 million funding for the Burnham Park development project will be increased to P480 million.
The city government prepared the comprehensive master development plan for the proposed rehabilitation of portions of the 34-hectare Burnham Park complex that served as the basis for TIEZA and the tourism department in committing the funds required for the upgrade.
The tourism department and the local government signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) earlier for the initial P400 million to support the proposed upgrading of Burnham Park early last year.
But the amount was eventually garnished by the national government to fund the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Magalong expressed hope that the proposed upgrading of Burnham Park will be pursued once the funds will be made available by TIEZA.
The city mayor however said the local government cannot afford to loan the required funds for the upgrading of Burnham Park as it is already inclined to borrow a separate amount for the rehabilitation of the city’s sewerage system project.
Magalong hopes to make the city’s premier park a world-class tourism facility that would entice more foreign and domestic visitors to visit the city, and contribute in efforts to spur the city’s economic growth.
Among the areas in Burnham Park that will be improved include the Melvin Jones football field, the Burnham lake, the Rose Garden, the biking area, children’s park, Ibaloi heritage garden, skating rink, and portions of the Baguio Athletic Bowl.