BAGUIO City Councilor Mylen Yaranon wants to have a comprehensive development plan for the Burnham Park reservation.
“There have been a number of proposals submitted by proponents signifying to build structures within Burnham Park Reservation which had been presented in a series of public consultations. There is now a need for the formulation of a Comprehensive Development Plan of Burnham Park which will validate the collective aspirations of the people of Baguio,” Yaranon said.
Yaranon’s ordinance will put into place a guideline for future proposals for the park which will conform to standards set by the city.
The Burnham Park Reservation contains 328,394.39 square meters and houses several facilities that provide comfort, convenience and services to the general public like the Burnham Lake, Children’s Playground, Skating Rink, Rose Garden and Burnham Bust, Orchidarium, Igorot Garden, Melvin Jones Grandstand and Football Grounds, Old Auditorium Parking Area, Athletic Bowl, Tennis Courts, Picnic Grove, Japanese Peace Tower, Pine Trees of the World, Sunshine Park, Swimming Pool Complex and Ibaloi Heritage Garden.
It is considered the city’s pride of place and a premier tourist destination known throughout the world.
Yaranon said Executive Order 224 of 1995 transferred the administration, maintenance, management and operation of the Burnham Park Reservation from the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) to the City Government of Baguio. Executive Order 695 of 2008 has authorized the City Government of Baguio to have full control of the administration, operation, management, maintenance and further development of Burnham Park Reservation.
If the measure is approved, the City Planning and Development Office, City Environment and Parks Management Office will formulate the Comprehensive Development Plan of Burnham Park and will coordinate with the Department of Tourism-CAR and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and Arts, Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners Northern Luzon Chapter and other concerned agencies to formulate plans and undertake the necessary measures in preserving and protecting Burnham Park.
Today, opposition grows for proposals surrounding the park, from parking building to theme parks.