BAGUIO CITY - At least P40 million was set aside by concerned agencies of the national government this year and for the first quarter of next year to jumpstart the rehabilitation of Burnham Park, the city's premier tourist destination, in order to perk up the local tourism industry which suffered serious setbacks over the past several years.
Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara, a member of the House committee on tourism, said P20 million will be released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year, while another P20 million was committed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprises Zone Authority (TIEZA) to rehabilitate the deteriorating city park. According to Vergara, the major projects to be undertaken inside the 12 areas of Burnham Park include landscaping, lighting, beautification, and upgrading of structures to bring back the park's pristine beauty that will once again attract the influx of local and foreign tourists. (Dexter See)
