THE master development plan for Burnham Park was formally submitted to Baguio City officials Saturday.
The plan was initially presented at the orientation meeting of incoming officials and department heads in Subic, Zambales and will again be presented to the City Council on July 5.
The development plan focused on re-greening the park, use of some open spaces for the installation of park fixtures depicting Cordilleran and other nations-inspired designs.
A multi-level parking at Melvin Jones, outdoor cafes, amphitheater, a singing fountain, refurbished biking lane and other improvements are also included in the design, which is projected to be completed in five to 10 years.
Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas said the plan is awesome while Environment and Parks Management Officer Colleen Lacsamana said the design is "world class."
Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. on the other hand said the plan should become the blue print once development of the park starts.
Lacsamana said the development plan would hopefully jumpstart beautification of the city's premiere park.
But before development could start, Fariñas said it was also discussed during the meeting on Subic that a corresponding feasibility study should be done to determine how to best implement it.
The plan was broached after learning that the project would cost around P1.2 billion, equivalent to the city's annual budget.
After the submission of the plan, this will have to be formally accepted by the City Council.
Impressed by the design, Fariñas said there is no reason for the council to reject it. He said a series of meetings and consultations has to be done to determine how the plan would be financed.
"Funds will not come from a single source," Fariñas said.
The P125 million unremitted shares of the city from the Baguio Economic Processing Zone, bond flotation, and inviting investors are some of the options city officials could consider, Fariñas added.
The public may get a glimpse of the design and scale models on June 30, after the inauguration of the new city officials at the City Hall lobby.
City officials meanwhile, gave plaques of appreciation to officials of the University of the Cordilleras led by its president Ricardo Pama and the team, which made the design.
Members of the design team are: project head Arch. Robert Romero, the engineering team composed of Engineers Aloysius Mapalo, Benhur Quesada, Orlando Sabado, Charlie Lamsis, Nelson Notarte, and Ryan Francis Libiran.
The Burnham team members on the other hand are: Jondi Albesa, Joanne Asirot, Jhunar Atipen, Albarry Ayaquil, Dignol Ayawan, Denver Badang, Antonio Baga, Mark Cachero, Joel Caloscosin, Morgan Cambod, Bethel Camiwet, Joey Carreon, Macario Dacayanan, Rey Daoal, Danilo Denna, Tuesday Eslao, Aiza Fernandez, Paul John Flora, Jay-ar Himuldang, Richard Laniohan, Rommel Llarenas, Forbes Mata-ag, Noreen Morado, John Mark Nerona, Mark, Nesperos, Renante Omiles, Kenneth Paran, Richard Parian, Larry Paes, Rowel Patricio, and Philip Undayag.
The scale model team members are: Owais Ahmed, Jefferson Carbillon, Joe Carl Dawaweng, Rad Dokipen, Care Emana, Luis Gawisan, Sunshine Lapugan, Rexie Las Marias, Christian Mallare, Jose Perez, Dexter Romero, and Jose Supnet. (Rimaliza Opiña)