BAGUIO CITY – The City Council held a public consultation on the proposed ordinance authorizing the implementation of the master development plan for Burnham Park particularly the site of the former city auditorium and the new library grounds and parks management.
Set on March 21 at 8 a.m. at the Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall, the hearing was led by the committee on urban planning, lands and housing.
The proposed ordinance is authored by Councilors Edgar Avila, Elmer Datuin and Mylen Yaranon.
In his proposal, the aldermen sought to authorize Mayor Mauricio Domogan to implement the master development plan for the Burnham Park property complex particularly the Baguio auditorium site and the new library grounds and parks management where a multi-level parking building with concession areas adopting green architecture has been proposed.
“Several proposals have been introduced to build the parking buildings at the Ganza Area but the same has been met with stiff opposition, thus by way of an acceptable alternative and pursuant to committee Public Works Committee Report No. 2017-050, the proponents submit that it would be best to implement the Master Development Plan… as studied, proposed and agreed upon by the University of the Cordilleras and the City Government of Baguio through then Mayor Reinaldo Bautista,” the aldermen noted in the proposal.
The master plan was drafted in 2010 by the UC experts pursuant to a Memorandum of Agreement between UC and the City Government which was confirmed through Resolution No. 28 series of 2010.
The proponents said the area covered by the study was 247, 690 square meters excluding the area of the Children’s Playground and Orchidarium and the area currently occupied by the Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) with an aggregate are of 80,700 square meters.
“Among others the master development plan… as designed by the (UC covers) D.5.2.5 which is an existing tourist bus parking area between BCNHS campus and skating rink area. (It is noted that) a proposed multi-level parking building with concession areas adopting green architecture concept and its surrounding grounds shall be designed in the area and D.5.2.8 new library grounds and parks management,” the proposed ordinance reads.
It also provides that the plan “provides for at least 400 parking spaces which will alleviate the parking problems of the City especially in the Central Business District.”
If approved, the measure will be known as the “Baguio City Auditorium Ordinance.”
By: Aileen P. Refuerzo
