Domogan seeks meeting with DOT

City Mayor Mauricio Domogan is open to dialog with Department of Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat for issues besetting Burnham Park.

Domogan said a letter has already been sent to the newly installed tourism chief and appreciates statements made by Puyat underlying local government dialog.

Puyat made pronouncements opposing plans to set up multi-level parking at Burnham Park stressing the value of the open space and backing moves by Baguio Representative Mark Go to de-

clare the space as a heritage site.

Previously, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) stressed the historical significance of Burnham Park and its preservation as an open space.

Domogan said the good secretary might not know the area proposed to house the parking facility is currently being used as a parking space, stressing the need of the city to decongest.

The city’s chief executive said an improvement of the area is needed to accommodate more spaces for cars to park to free roads from parking.

Several proposals are being studied by the city with a plan by Councilors Benny Bomogao, Micheal Lawana and Faustino Olowan for the construction of a podium car parking but has been met with opposition as it will displace the Igorot Garden to the existing Ganza parking.

Meanwhile, Councilor Edgar Avila, committee chair for urban planning, lands and housing has also accepted proposals for the park at the old auditorium area.

The chief executive believes all can be resolved in a dialog and stressed the role of government is to help each other improve and lauded the tourism secretary for her call for talks on the issue.