Baguio's Burnham Park to undergo rehabilitation

One of the famous landmarks in Baguio City, Burnham Park will undergo a needed rehabilitation to bring it back to its old glory, the city government announced.

According to a report by JP Soriano on GMA News 24 Oras, the park has deteriorated through the years as the population of visitors increased.  It is wanting a facelift.

When it rains, the area gets flooded.  Park authorities watch over the man-made lake in case it overflows.  Some of the trees and plants have wilted.

"Iyong tubig dati kasi blue na blue siya, hindi katulad ngayon parang putik," Rolly Sernadilla, a boatman in the park, said.

Baguio City's tourism department has lined up Burnham Park, as well as other parks, for the rehabilitation this year.

"We will fix the drainages, we will fix the sewerage, and of course, we will make Burnham Park a first class park," Vice mayor Fautino Olowan said.

"We will restore the trees, the grasses and all the monuments at Burnham Parl," he added.

The city government said it will also rehabilitate the Wright Park, Sunshine park, Mines View Park and other famous tourist destinations in the city.

City officials said there should be a moratorium in the construction of commercial establishments and residential houses in the already overcrowded city, especially because a number of land areas are susceptible to landslides.

"Wala nang magawa sa Baguio, rehabilitate, pagandahin lang, wala na.  Dapat status quo, moratorium.  We should create another Baguio in some areas of the Cordillera," Olowan said.