The recently rehabilitated Botanical-Centennial Park underwent another transformation with the City Environment and Parks Management Office redecorating it into a Christmas-themed area.
With decorations bearing Christmas symbols in the sister cities of Baguio, the park has been opened to the public last Nov. 18, following its temporary closure to give way to the installation of decors and fixtures.
Redecoration of the park is part of the city government’s thrust of distributing the crowds that converge at the central business district during the Yuletide holidays.
Beginning Nov. 19, the Cepmo will be implementing a new admission schedule in the park which are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to midnight. To complement the Christmas theme, there will be performances and busking at the park.
Sister cities of Baguio featured at the park are Hangzhou, China; Taebaek, South Korea; Vaughan and Ontario, Canada; and Karuizawa and Wakkanai, Japan; and Thailand Friendship Park.
In his earlier appearance at the city council, Cepmo head Rhenan Diwas said the Christmas theme is the first phase of a year-round plan to promote the park.
The second phase will be in line with the celebration of Panagbenga and the third will be themed after the Saleng Festival.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) renewed its commitment to develop a portion of the park that it adopted by maintaining the landscaping , preserving the trees, ornaments and vegetation, and introduce and provide landscape materials in the form of indigenous plants and other planting materials.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Engr. Luis Sarmiento, PMSEA president last Nov. 15. – Rimaliza A. Opina with reports from Jordan G. Habbiling
