BAGUIO CITY – Tourists visiting Baguio City starting Oct. 1 will miss water-based activities as the city government begins the full rehabilitation of Burnham Lake.
The City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) said the closure will remain in effect until further notice.
“The rehabilitation is aimed at restoring the lake’s ecological balance, improving water quality and ensuring its sustainable management,” CEPMO’s Rhenan Diwas told the media.
The closure covers all recreational activities on the lake, including swan boat rides, fishing, and other water-based leisure activities.
The rehabilitation will be led by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the infrastructure arm of the Department of Tourism, based on the master development plan prepared by the city government.
The rehabilitation will be implemented in four phases to ensure that improvements are properly planned and sustainably executed, Diwas said.
He assured the public that no trees at Burnham Park will be cut during the rehabilitation works.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the rehabilitation of Burnham Lake is part of the city’s broader initiative to upgrade public parks for both residents and visitors.
He recalled that the city already started similar projects, including the redevelopment of the Botanical Garden, the reflection pool across the Mansion House, and the ongoing rehabilitation of Sunshine Park.**Liza Agoot
