Bishop wants bidding of P25 M Burnham project transparent, scrutinized

By Joseph Zambrano

BAGUIO CITY -- The Vicariate of Benguet and the city government urged their involvement on the bidding process for the P25 million fencing of Burnham Park allocated by President Benigno S. Aquino III.

According to Bishop Carlito J. Cenzon, Apostolic Vicar of Baguio and Benguet, the money for the fencing of Burnham Park is already with the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Every single centavo should be spent in the project (fencing) and there should be transparency during the bidding to contractors with good track record,” Cenzon said.

“We want to maximize the coverage of the money to be expended. This is people’s money and we will be supervising the implementation of the project until it is finished,” he said.

Cenzon personally asked President Aquino the funding for the fencing of Burnham Park when the latter administered ceremonial switch-on of the park’s lighting system project of the Department of Energy last August.

The initial fencing intended to keep the children safe while inside the park was initiated by the bishop with the help of the private sector and some civic leaders.

There are plans for the development of Burnham Park like planting more trees and flowers to keep it beautiful for park goers to appreciate, Cenzon said.

“The lake needs a lot of improvement as well as Melvin Jones Football Field and we are encouraging everyone to help make Burnham Park a place for promenading,” Cenzon added.

The Melvin Jones Football Field where concerts and major events also take place is adjacent Burnham Park.