The local government is willing to transfer to the State-owned Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) the titles that had been issued in the name of the city covering Burnham Park.
City Administrator Bonifacio dela Pena said that there was already an agreement between the local government and the TIEZA for the city to transfer to the said agency the earlier titles that had been issued in the name of the city covering some portions of Burnham Park and the future titles that will be issued to the city for the remaining portions of the premier tourist destination.
He disclosed that part of the agreement is for TIEZA to reimburse to the local government the expenses that had been incurred in the processing of the titles of Burnham Park.
The city administrator claimed that the local government will still continue to administer, manage and operate the park after the city shall have transferred the issued titles to the TIEZA pursuant to Executive Order No. 224, series of 1995 issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos and Executive Order No. 695, series of 2009 issued by former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Dela Pena underscored that the primary intention of the local government in having Burnham Park titled in the name of the city is to protect the premier tourist destination from possible issues on ownership that will transpire once there will be claimants over the said property aside from other similar issues and concerns that may arise in the future.
Burnham Park is the city’s premier tourist destination located at the heart of the city covering more than 34 hectares and serves as host to various sections as the Igorot Park, Rose Garden, Melvin Jones football field, Burnham lake, picnic grove, biking area, Ibaloi Heritage Garden, children’s park, skating rink, old city auditorium, Baguio Athletic Bowl, Pines Trees of the world among others.
