BAGUIO City Councilor Edgar Avila admitted that the city government failed to properly manage and maintain Burnham Park.
Avila said the move to return the park to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) is a humbling move.
“We have to admit at one point that we failed in the management,” Avila said.
The alderman is standing by his committee report recommending to the Office of the President, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tieza to rescind the agreement delegating to the city the management of Burnham Park and returning this function to the national government.
“They (Tieza) have the manpower, funds and means to rehabilitate the park, and this seems to be a response to the cry of stakeholders,” Avila added.
Executive Order No. 224, series of 1995 issued by former President Fidel Ramos turned over the administration, management and operation of Burnham Park to the local government and it was strengthened by Executive Order No. 69, series of 2009 issued by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Before the administration, management and operation of the park was turned over to the city, Burnham Park was managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), now known as Tieza under the Tourism department.
The report also recommended the approval of the University of the Cordilleras master development plan for Burnham Park as well as the university to update the plans made years ago to adapt to the changing times.
Avila said the UC master development plan is a donation from the university to the city and again, relying on the good graces of UC, an updating of the plan is being sought as Tieza if they do take control over the park, needs the masterplan.
The report also asks the Supreme Court to take a second look at the doctrine that parks are beyond the commerce of man because it is not in tune with reality and the changing times through a petition for declaratory relief.
“This will focus not only on Burnham but all parks in the country, as it will address vending and construction of commercial buildings on parks,” Avila said.
Avila, who heads the committee on urban planning, lands and housing, spearheaded the call for proposals for parking facilities in the park which drew the ire of sectors advocating for the protection and preservation of the park.
Avila’s report has been deferred twice by the city council and is again up for deliberation.