Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Burnham becoming as ugly as Mines View: councilor
BURNHAM Park is a Mines View Park in the making if portions of it would be used for commercial purposes.
Councilor Elaine Sembrano made the remark after learning that the City Council is planning the fate of the vacant lot previously occupied by the city auditorium and the city library. Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. has written Philippine Tourism Authority chairman Robert Dean Barbers to ask funds for the site's improvement.
In a letter dated September 26, Bautista asked for P6 million for the improvement of the park so the city can build a multi-level parking building and to construct an all-purpose hall where booths for accredited vendors can be accommodated.
Sembrano said if the site is allowed to be used as a parking site, it is highly possible Burnham Park could become unsightly as Mines View Park where the high number of commercial activities there resulted in its de-listing as a park by the Department of Tourism.
"Accommodating vendors in the area would also affect the operation of businessmen located at market and in malls," Sembrano added.
"If any development is done at Burnham," the councilor said should be in accordance with the master development plan where it is emphasized for more pedestrian movement.
Last week, the City Council referred to the City Planning and Development Office several proposals for the site.
Councilor Perlita Chan-Rondez proposed for the site be improved and converted into a pay parking area while Councilor Nicasio Palaganas proposed for the construction of a three-level building that would house a parking area, cultural building, and a hostel. (RO)
