THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) assured preservation of the tree park in the country’s Summer Capital after rumors came out that a condotel or carpark building will be constructed in the area.
In a statement posted on February 4 on its website, the government-owned corporation said the tree park near the Baguio Convention Center and University of the Philippines fronting the Supreme Court will be preserved.
“We will neither sell the land where the park stands nor allow it to be converted into a commercial area by any party,” GSIS president and general manager Jesus Clint Aranas stated.
Aranas gave the assurance in response to the sentiments of Grade 6 students from the Baguio Pines Family Learning Center to save the tree park.
“We empathize with Alcina Flores and other students concerned. They can heave a sigh of relief because the GSIS property will remain to be the home of these beautiful trees,“ Aranas said.
“We all share the same concern for the environment. If we are responsible stewards of God’s gifts, then we will surely reap the rewards such as having cool, clean, and fresh air and in fact, GSIS employees helped plant trees in the park, too,” he added.
Aranas is optimistic the negotiations with the City Government of Baguio to purchase the lot occupied by the park will finally come to a fruitful resolution.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan earlier offered to buy the lot to preserve the park.
“I hope the good mayor would understand that the value of a property appreciates over time. In any decision, investment or otherwise, we have to ensure that this will help grow our funds to benefit our members and pensioners,” explained the pension fund chief.