Council to tackle Burnham diggings
ISSUES on the Burnham Park diggings will be answered at the council.
Lady councilor Maylen Yaranon said the storm drainage system project at Melvin Jones will be discussed when the Department
of Public Works and Highways, contractor, City Engineering Office (CEO), and Burnham Park Management Committee will appear during the regular council meeting to shed light on the issues.
“First is the repair of damages at Melvin Jones and second, sewer lines should not be tapped to the storm drainage,” said Yaranon.
Yaranon added the project has also not been coordinated with the city.
“No coordination with the CEO regarding the DPWH works at Burnham Park,” adds Yaranon.
CEPMO-Burnham Project Evaluation Officer Joseph Hermogeno clarified the diggings at the Melvin Jones is for improvement and rehabilitate the drainage problem of the park.
“Yung old drainage system, matagal nang hindi naaasikaso or naririhabilitate. So it’s high time for this rehabilitation to push through in order to avoid flooding here,” added Hermogeno.
The project has raised alarm bells for citizens advocating for the preservation of Burnham park.
The project is part of the Flood Management Program – Construction/Maintenance of Flood Mitigation Structures and Drainage Systems: Construction/Rehabilitation of Flood Control Mitigation Facilities/Drainage System along BGH Fly Over to Athletic Bowl to Rose Garden, Burnham Park, Baguio City implemented by DPWHBaguio City District Engineering Office for the improvement of the city with a budget of P 38,285,958.77 taken from the regular infrastructure program funds.
Construction by MEP Construction/EGB Construction started on February 11 and is eyed to be finished by September 8 of this year.
Hermogeno said the project was surveyed by Geofrey Galwan, Engineering Assistant and Arnold Dumalti, Engineer II and prepared by Dan Mark Gañgan, Engineer I-JO and checked by John Paulo Buliyat, Engineer II.
It was reviewed by the Assistant Chief Planning and Design Section and was submitted by Cesario Rillera, Engineer, Chief Planning and Design Section while Assistant District Engineer, Glenn Reyes recommended approval and later approved by the OIC – District Engineer, Rene Zarate.