BURNHAM Lake is closed for renovation starting Oct. 1. (Zaldy Comanda)
BAGUIO CITY – The rehabilitation of Burnham Lake here starts Wednesday, Oct. 1.
It is part of the four-phase Burnham Park Master Plan, with the first phase to improve water quality and renovate surrounding areas.
This is the first time the iconic lake will be closed to tourists and residents since it was built in 1904.
The public was advised to avoid the area during the rehabilitation for their safety and ensure the speedy and complete implementation of the rehabilitation.
The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) funds and leads the plan and has provided an initial budget for Phase 1 and additional funding up to Phase 4 in partnership with the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO).
CEPMO Engineer II Jaquilyn Tino said the first phase targets to improve the lake and its surrounding areas, with renovations including additional viewing or seating areas, improving the boat docking area, and building a retaining wall.
"Actually, the (retaining wall) will extend towards the lake, reducing the existing width of the lake, probably five meters, because from the retaining wall to the side walk, that's where we'll build the seating area," she said.
The second phase will focus on improving the sidewalk, the third phase will address the children's park, and the skating rink in the fourth and final phase of the project.