BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan expressed his unwavering support to the proposal of the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) for the extension of the period of adoption of same portions of the Botanical Garden with the possibility of increasing the area of coverage of the group’s tree park plantation.
The local chief executive informed City Environment and Parks Management Officer Cordelia C. Lacsamana that he supports the intention of the PMSEA to extend the period of adoption and the possible expansion of the 5,000-square meter plantation so that more tree species could be planted around the frequently visited park.
PMSEA president Louie Sarmiento claimed the group has already substantially invested to the project and the organization is very happy that with the continuing cooperation of the involved partners, the local government and PMSEA is now reaping the benefits of having a beautiful garden that is enjoyed by people who come and visit the area.
However, Sarmiento informed Mayor Domogan that the organization has certain limitations and as such, the organization wants that counterpart activities be provided by the local government.
Among the suggested activities to be undertaken by the city include repair of the damaged riprap located just above the constructed ‘waterfall,’ transfer of the concrete marker ‘Japanese Memorial Garden’ to an area closer to the Japanese garden and should the transfer be made, PMSEA will replace the marker with its own PMSEA marker; planting of carabao grass in the upper portion of the garden for an approximate area of 200 square meters; PMSEA can extend assistance in the actual planting and landscaping for such purpose; provision of electricity and lighting to allow public access to the park during evenings and it will include the cost of materials, construction and maintenance including the payment of the electric bills; joint development of a permanent water source or reservoir that may be used to supply water to other areas inside the Botanical Garden; increase security and maintenance personnel, especially at night and relocation or improvement of the design or color of the existing public toilet near the area.
It can be recalled that PMSEA and the city government entered into a memorandum of agreement on November 19, 2010 for the adoption of a portion of Forbes Park or the Botanical Garden with an area of more or less 1,000 square meters.
During the 5-year adoption period, PMSEA, in coordination with several mining stakeholders and partners, have transformed the adopted portions of the park into one of the most visited areas of the Botanical Garden and that the general feedback is that the PMSEA adopted portion is one of the most beautifully landscaped and maintained area in the park.
Sarmiento said PMSEA officials are willing to further discuss the pertinent issues emanating from their desire to extend the adoption period and expand the adopted area to sustain the improvement of the adopted portion of the park beneficial to the influx of more foreign and domestic visitors to patronize the area.
By Dexter A. See