Transfer of Burnham Park to Baguio City Govt

The transfer is premised on the history of the Burnham Park Reservation reserved for park purposes by Proclamation No. 64 dated August 6, 1925.
The reservation was previously ceded and conveyed to the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) for tourism development purposes under Presidential Decree No. 1762 dated January 6, 1981, and Proclamation No. 2144 dated December 9, 1981.
Management under earlier arrangements was transferred and vested to the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) for FIVE (5) YEARS through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) dated March 10, 1989, as modified by another MOA dated August 7, 1989.
The earlier MOA of March 10, 1989 expired in 1994, creating the basis for a new management arrangement under Executive Order No. 224.

Executive Order No. 224 implements the government’s devolution program by placing the Burnham Park Reservation under local management, maintenance, and administration.
The order responds to public clamor for the return of Burnham Park for local control and operation.

Section 1 transfers to the City Government of Baguio the administration, management, maintenance, and operation of the whole Burnham Park Reservation as defined and delineated under Presidential Decree No. 1762 dated January 6, 1981.
The transfer under Section 1 covers all activities, facilities, and improvements within the Burnham Park Reservation.
Section 2 also transfers to the City Government of Baguio the present Sunshine Park, including all activities, facilities, and improvements thereon.
Section 3 excludes from the transfer the area where the Department of Tourism (DOT)-PTA Regional Office and the Secretary’s Cottage are located, including all activities, facilities, and improvements thereon.

The excluded area in Section 3 remains under the exclusive use, administration, maintenance and management of PTA and DOT.
The transfer in Sections 1 and 2 applies to the park areas covered, while Section 3 carves out the specific DOT-PTA facilities and Secretary’s Cottage area.

Under Section 4, the City Government of Baguio has full control, supervision and discretion in managing the Park.
Under Section 4, the City exercises control over the award and regulations of all activities and concessions in the Park.
Under Section 5, the City Government of Baguio cannot encumber, mortgage, or alienate any portion of the Park.
Under Section 5, the City’s use of the Park is limited to recreation and tourism-related activities.

Under Section 6, the DOT and PTA continue to provide promotional support and technical assistance for:
- the Park’s operation; and
- the Park’s further development.

Under Section 7, annual appropriations for the Park’s development from the National Budget continue and remain in force.
Under Section 7, available funds from the duly approved PTA 1995 budget appropriated for the Park must be transferred to the City.

Under Section 8, all revenues and collections generated from the Park’s operation accrue to the treasury of the City Government of Baguio.
Under Section 8, such revenues are used solely for management, maintenance, operation and development of the Park.