Some tourist spots in Baguio City to be closed for rehab

Negligence and the high number of tourist visitors have resulted in the deterioration of tourist spots in Baguio City, leading to their partial or total closure as part of a rehabilitation plan.

According to Victoria Tulad's Friday report on 24 Oras, officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the local government of Baguio, inspected Burnham Park on Friday.

"Nakita natin yung water 'no? Murky and masyadong malabo na. Kung may mahulog diyan na pasahero o turista, 'di natin alam kung biglang magkasakit na lang 'yan o ano," DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.

When asked by reporters, Año admitted that he believed that the previous administration had a part in the failure to maintain the tourist attractions.

"Nababaha talaga 'to, yung drainage system, napaka-sama nung drainage system," Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said.

Due to this, officials signed a memorandum of agreement which will grant P480 million to rehabilitate Burnham Park.

However, some areas have to be closed down for rehabilitation operations.

"Definitely, it will impact 'yung tourist natin, nalaman na nila na closed na 'yung Burnham park, it will impact. Pero sabi ko nga sa'yo eh. Once na in-open mo naman yan grabe naman ang influx ng tourists," Magalong said.

Other parks in the area will also be rehabilitated.

The Wright Park will be partially closed while a total closure will be implemented for the Bayan Park, Tree Park, and the Mines View Park.

Rehabilitation is meanwhile on-going in the Arboretum Park where total closure is also enforced.

"Hindi kakayanin na sabay-sabay 'yan. So it will be done, probably, the next three years. Baka yung iba sa pagkatapos na ng term ko," Magalong said.

Aside from neglected tourist destinations, Baguio City is also facing other problems such as traffic, potable water supply, environment conservation, and geo-hazard areas.

To ease traffic congestion, officials plan to build integrated transport terminals where tourists can park their cars. There is also a proposal to introduce public transportation for those who wish to visit the city.

Authorities are also looking to the construction of a cable car system as an alternative means of transportation.

They also seek to build an additional sewage treatment plant as only one plant out of three is currently working.

Officials also plan to clean contaminated water sources such as the Balili-Sagudin River which has 1.6 quadrillion most probable number of fecal coliform where normal levels are around 100 MPN.

"Rehabilitation is possible, nagawa na natin 'yun sa El Nido and meron na rin sa Coron, sa Siargao, and sa Manila Bay," DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

Magalong added that, "If we're not going to act now, then we'll have a very, very serious problem."

The mayor also asked Baguio residents to lend vacant lots to the government, which will be used for tree-planting. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA News