Baguio open to Burnham Park takeover by DOT

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said the city government is open to takeover of  management, operation and administration of the 34-hectare Burnham Park complex by the Dept. of Tourism but things must first be placed in their proper perspective before pursuing the plan.

The mayor said DOT Sec. Berna Romulo Puyat must first evaluate the situation in the past when the city’s premier park was under the jurisdiction of the DOT through the defunct Nation Development Committee because implementation of projects by the government was criticized by local officials and people of the city due to alleged lack of consultation and improper implementation of projects among others.

“The issue on the tourism department taking over the operation, administration and management of Burnham Park is not a big thing on the part of the local government but what should be emphasized is that there should be a thorough assessment done by the DOT on prevailing situation of the park before making drastic actions on the matter,” Domogan said.

He welcomed the pronouncement of the top tourism official that she will first consult with the local government relative to the said matter before any action will be undertaken to ensure sustainable development of the city’s premier tourist attraction.

Earlier, Romulo-Puyat announced the tourism department is contemplating on taking back the management, operation and administration of Burnham Park from the local government to guarantee its preservation as a park and major attraction in the country’s Summer Capital.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive order No. 224, series of 1995 transferring the management, operation and administration of Burnham Park from the tourism department to the local government of Baguio in response to clamor of local officials and the people of the city for a holistic implementation of development projects in the park.

Later, EO No. 695, series of 2009 was issued by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which strengthened the previous executive issuance relative to management of Burnham Park.

Domogan said he knows the tourism official to be reasonable that is why he is willing to present to her the overall situation in the local government’s operation, administration and management of the park so that she will be fully aware of the real situation on the ground saying she might have been ill-advised on the matter.

He said what is important is that the Secretary is willing to listen to issues of the local government regarding management of the park so that there will be time for local officials to correct wrong information that might have reached her.-- Dexter A. See