BAGUIO, Philippines – The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority is reviewing the city’s recently acquired title for Burnham Park for potential contest, lawyer Brendan Quintos, legal officer of the Department of Tourism Cordillera , said on Monday, April 24.
While Baguio has had full management and administrative control over Burnham Park since 2008, the TIEZA is insisting on its mandate over all national parks and is ready to contest the title in court once the review of the title is completed and contention is deemed necessary, Quintos said. Buyucan said that the acquisition of a title over areas within Burnham Park “does not intend to cancel” Proclamation no. 64, Series of 1925, which created the Burnham Park Reservation as the proclamation identifies the use of an area while a title indicates who owns it.
Councilors Elmer Datuin and Mylen Yaranon warned of potential legal concerns over the titling of the affected lots stemming from the DOT and the TIEZA having authority over the park as early as March 8th, days after the city acquired its 18.2 hectare title.