BAGUIO CITY – Administrative Order 21, series of 2015; “Rules and Regulations governing operation and maintenance of the “Burnham Park Reservation,” is being strictly implemented, it was reported during the Alay Sa Kalinisan (ASK) meeting last week.
Project Evaluation Officer Joseph Hermogeno informed the group that in February and the past months, there were individuals caught violating provisions of AO 21; as to anti-smoking, peddling and intake of intoxicating liquor in the park, and public scandal involving minors. Violators were made to pay fines and some rendered community service, while offender minors were sent to counseling along with their parents.
There were also masseurs and those performing tattoo art in the park who were apprehended, documented and given warnings. Charges are filed in court against violators if the warnings remain unheeded, Hermogeno said.
Provisions in Section 2 of AO 21, prohibit smoking, drinking, undue burning, destroying of plants, unnecessary noise-making, littering and spitting, in the park, including personal services such as massage, nail spa (manicure and pedicure), and tattoo, thus personnel of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) and the security guard agency for the park ensure the enforcement and implementation of said legislative measure.
Clean-ups are also conducted in coordination with private groups, as with replanting of ornamental plants at the rose garden by students; flushing at the Igorot Park, Harrison road to Athletic Bowl; rose Garden, childrens’ park and Melvin Jones grandstand. Mowing, trimming, cleaning and maintenance are regular activities but done more frequently during special occasions, Hermogeno added.
Improvements also include repainting of the Sunshine Park stage, bandstand rooftop and fence of the Baguio City High School (BCHS); and landscaping of the Ganza parking entrance.
Rehabilitation within the Burnham lake this year, with project cost of around P19M is planned in coordination with the Department of Tourism-CAR, it was known. /Julie G. Fianza#
