BAGUIO City Councilor Benny Bomogao stood pat on his stand on the need of a parking facility at the Central Business District (CBD).
Bomogao who chairs the committee on public utilities, transportation and traffic legislation said there are no more available areas other than Ganza, in between the Orchidarium and Children’s Park, former Pantranco and the whole stretch of the city library for parking.
The alderman said there are many proposals which the city has received but all have to be bought by the government as opposed to city owned areas in the CBD.
Bomogao has approved and recommended the construction of a multi-level parking facility at the former site of the old auditorium or present pay parking area as well as the Ganza area.
After the approval of his committee, Bomogao said it will be up to the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) and the City Engineering Office (CEO) to make plans for the facility to be made using green architecture.
Bomogao said an invitation for investors will also be made if the city will see a lack of funds to build the facility.
The proposal of Bomogao, together with Councilors Micheal Lawana and Faustino Olowan for the construction of a podium car parking has been met with opposition as it will displace the Igorot Garden to the existing Ganza Parking.
Since the committee report has been approved it is now up to Mayor Mauricio Domogan to create a Technical Working Group (TWG) for plans to take shape.
Meanwhile, Councilor Edgar Avila, committee chair for urban planning, lands and housing has begun a series of consultations on the Burnham parking issue, opening the doors for proposals for the park.
Avila is conveying stakeholders for a series of consultations for the construction of a parking facility at the old auditorium at Burnham Park.
Alexander Cruz, Chairman of XRC Mall Developer Incorporated submitted their P800 million unsolicited proposal for a long term lease under a PPP to construct at their own cost a multi-level parking that can accommodate 500 cars and 15 tourist buses, commercial mall with a pasalubong center and at least a 100-room hotel.
Urban planner and architect Jodi Alabanza, who also attended the public consultation, said high rise structures at the Burnham area deviates from
the original design of the park.
Alabanza advocated to utilize other areas for multi-level parking spaces citing the vacant lot at the DPS compound for the facility or explore the La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay areas to use instead.