Burnham privatization issue hounds city gov’t

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Media reports of the “privatization of Burnham Park here is hounding the city government even as concerned citizens are airing opposition to the plan.

           

Mayor Mauricio Domogan admitted week the city’s plan to develop Athletic Bowl and selected areas in the park under a public-private partnership (PPP) venture which he said, will not result to commercialization and inaccessibility of the park.

The mayor explained that the proposed development project will cover the upgrading of Athletic Bowl, the tennis court and swimming pool by a private investor but these areas will remain city government properties and will continue to be managed by the city government and the revenues to be generated from these facilities will go to the city coffers.

The only area to be developed for commercial purposes will be the site of the former city auditorium where a commercial complex will be built and run by the investor. 

The lake, the children’s park, Melvin Jones, orchidarium and other sites will not be covered by the project.

           

Part of the proposal will be the installation of a monorail along the park as an added tourist attraction, according to the mayor, who assured that no trees will be affected in the proposed project.

           

The mayor said the terms of reference (TORs) for the proposed project which have been approved by the city council are now with the technical working committee which is now wrapping up the feasibility study for the project.

           

The feasibility study will be referred to the city council which will subject the matter to a public hearing and consultations to establish its social acceptability.

The TOR and feasibility study will also be referred to the City Development Council, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the investment center for approval before the project can be put up for bidding.  

The contract will again pass the city council for confirmation.