Tourism office urged to fund Burnham rehab

Saturday, May 21, 2011

BAGUIO City Council committee on tourism chairperson Elmer Datuin has requested, through a proposed resolution, the Department of Tourism (DOT) to fund the total rehabilitation of the Burnham Park.

Datuin said total rehabilitation would give way for the park’s recognition not only locally but in the entire country.

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He said rehabilitation will build-up the tourism industry and will also benefit people and businesses that depend on tourism.

“Burnham Park needs an overall rehabilitation including all its sports and recreational facilities to be conducive to our park goers, athletes, local and foreign tourists,” he said.

Datuin said despite efforts by the City Government to maintain the park, there is still a need to look for adequate funds to develop the park and keep it par to the needs of the public through the upgrading of current facilities.

Since the DOT and the Tourism and Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority have reportedly manifested the need to have the park improved, Datuin said the City Government should begin formalizing a request so that the National Government could set its priorities.

A master development plan was recently created for Baguio by the University of the Cordilleras.

Budgetary constraints, among other issues have prevented the City Government from proceeding with the development.

The design prepared by the UC is estimated to cost around P1 billion.

To begin with the rehabilitation, city officials have proposed on implementing development by phase. Plans remain pending until today.