The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) on Thursday turned over three automated tourism first-aid stations worth P4.7 million for parks in Baguio City.

During the turnover ceremony at Burnham Park, TIEZA General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid said Baguio is the first local government unit to receive three tourism first-aid stations under the program.

"Baguio is the first recipient of the tourism first aid stations. It is the model," Lapid said. "We will also install these in Puerto Galera, Siargao, Bohol, and Boracay. They will be monitored by personnel at the command center who are trained and equipped to respond to emergencies."

In an emergency, the public can enter the station and press an alert button that connects directly to the city's command center. Operators can immediately communicate with the caller and provide instructions while emergency responders are enroute.

"Someone can guide them while waiting for the emergency responders to arrive," Lapid said.

The Burnham Park station, located near the skating rink, across the tennis court, and beside the entrance to the children's park, is equipped with a first-aid kit, an automated external defibrillator, a pull-out stretcher, an intercom linked to the Baguio City command center, and closed-circuit television cameras. It also has a solar panel to ensure continued operation during power outages.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the stations are integrated with the city's central command center and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, allowing emergency personnel to respond more efficiently.

He said responders can provide immediate assistance for cases involving wounds, hypertension, dizziness, stroke, and fainting while medical teams are on the way.

According to Magalong, the city's average emergency response time ranges from seven to 12 minutes.

"Every day, I receive reports of emergencies handled by the command center, and we are glad this will help provide a faster response," he said.

Magalong said the facilities will be protected through CCTV monitoring and regular patrols by Burnham Park security personnel.

"We appeal to the public to help us take care of these facilities so they will be ready when needed and help save lives," he said.

Lapid also inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of Burnham Lake during his visit.

"We will turn over the project in August with the landscaping completed and water back in the lake," he said.

He said more than 80 percent of the rehabilitation work has been completed.

"With the landscaping and the water restored, the lake will look very different from what I grew up with. I used to visit Baguio and go boating here as a boy," Lapid said.

The lake rehabilitation is part of the P500-million redevelopment of Burnham Park, which also includes improvements to the children's playground, Rose Garden, and the areas surrounding the lake.

Lapid said TIEZA is preparing to begin procurement for the project's second phase.

"We are verifying the project plan submitted by the city, and once that is completed, we will proceed. We hope to finish the entire Burnham Park rehabilitation project by next year," he said. (With PNA)