BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC), formalizing the media organization’s adoption of a section of the Burnham Park Picnic Grove.
This area has long served as a venue for the city-recognized Lucky Summer Visitors (LSV) program hosted by the BCBC during Holy Week.
In a press release issued by the BCBC today, the MOA—set to be notarized—formalizes the club’s commitment to adopting and maintaining a nearly 700-square-meter section of the Picnic Grove.
The agreement was signed by Mayor Magalong and CEPMO Assistant Officer Marivic Empizo, who served as the city’s witness, alongside BCBC President Thomas Picaña, editor and publisher of Amianan Balita Ngayon, and the club’s Business Manager Rizaldy Comanda.
Enhancing the Media Camp
The adopted area, frequently referred to as the Media Camp, is pivotal to BCBC’s activities, especially during Holy Week, when it serves as the base for the annual LSV program.
Picaña expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, noting that the club can now focus on securing funds to upgrade the site.
“Now we can start working on the possible funding of the camp’s upgrade,” Picaña said.
The proposed improvements, estimated at ₱500,000, include landscaping, additional lighting, and new chairs and tables to enhance the area’s functionality.
Honoring a Legacy
The BCBC intends to name the adopted area “Camp Pepot” in honor of the late Jose Nicolas Ilagan, a former editor of the Gold Ore newspaper and a one-time city councilor.
Ilagan initiated the tradition of a media camp in 1988 at the former Baguio Colleges Foundation (now the University of the Cordilleras).
This camp later became the headquarters for the LSV program, particularly after it relocated following the 1990 earthquake.
Support from the City Government
Mayor Magalong assured BCBC of the city’s support for the camp’s development.
He revealed that improvements to the Picnic Grove are included in a broader enhancement plan for Burnham Park, spearheaded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
The TIEZA has earmarked ₱700 million for park upgrades, with the Picnic Grove’s development scheduled for the plan’s final phase.
Finalizing the Agreement
In September, CEPMO Head Rhenan Diwas, a lawyer, forwarded the draft MOA to Picaña for review.
After incorporating BCBC’s comments, the agreement was finalized and signed on September 17.
Under the agreement, BCBC will serve as a volunteer partner in the city’s Adopt-A-Park Program.
This program enables government and non-government entities to participate in the development and maintenance of city parks, provided they adhere to stipulated terms and conditions.
The MOA grants BCBC the authority to conduct its annual LSV activities and other events while requiring the organization to:
- Preserve the park’s accessibility to the public.
- Avoid encumbering or alienating any portion of the park.
In return, the city government retains the right to:
- Review and approve all programs and projects proposed by BCBC through CEPMO before implementation.
- Supervise the execution of these activities.
- Safeguard all park facilities within the area.
A Yearlong Commitment
The agreement took effect immediately upon signing and will remain valid for one year.
During this period, BCBC is expected to fulfill its role as a development partner in improving and maintaining the designated section of Burnham Park’s Picnic Grove.
This collaboration marks a significant step in enhancing the city’s iconic park while honoring its rich history and fostering community involvement.
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