The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) is not abandoning its commitment that it will still allot funds as its counterpart for the rehabilitation of Burnham Park.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said last week he discussed the planned redevelopment of Burnham Park with Tieza Chief Operation Officer Pocholo Paragas and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat.
On June 24, Tieza Asst. Chief Operating Officer and head of the Architectural and Engineering Services Sector Nestor Domalanta has informed the mayor that funds for the rehabilitation of Burnham Park have been realigned for the government’s the Covid-19 response. , as well as to provide assistance to cushion the impact of severe disruption of economic activities.
Earlier, the DOT, through its infrastructure arm Tieza, has pledged to release an initial P500 million to the city government, of which P400M is for the redevelopment of Burnham Park.
Puyat has acknowledged the rehabilitation project is needed, as the park is the window of tourism in the Summer Capital.
Meanwhile, the city government earlier reported the P93M state-of-the-art drainage system that is expected to address the flooding at Burnham Park would be constructed by October this year.
The system, which is part of the P409M-worth city-funded projects, will connect the city’s main drainage system at Magsaysay Ave. to the Balili River.
Other projects to be pursued next month are the P45M extension of the main grandstand of the Athletic Bowl that will include the addition of 500 seats to the current 1,100.
Other projects are the sidewalks at Gov. Pack Road worth P14M; P26M at Leonard Wood Road; P93M for the expansion of Palispis-Aspiras Highway; and P45M for the expansion of the Quirino Highway. – Ofelia C. Empian
July 27, 2024
