BAGUIO CITY — After a parent post concerns regarding the deteriorating state of play equipment at the Children's Park in Burnham Park, the head of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) issued a public apology.

CEPMO chief Rhenan Golingab Diwas acknowledged public frustration over several damaged slides and cordoned-off play structures that limited recreational options for visiting families.

The concern of the parent which circulated on local social media forums said that only a few slides remained functional while multiple play sets were wrapped in caution tape and showed signs of wear.

CEPMO stated that immediate repairs and safety assessments are being scheduled to address broken components, repaint weathered structures, and maintain functional play areas for children.

The Children's Playground previously underwent renovation work and reopened in March 2022 after a two-year closure. During that rehabilitation project, the city government installed new non-toxic play sets and refurbished older structures like see-saws, swings, and monkey bars to comply with safety and health standards. 

Despite the past improvements, continuous daily use and weather exposure have contributed to the recent decay of the play amenities.

The current maintenance efforts coincide with the broader rehabilitation of the Burnham Park complex under a P400-million master plan funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). 

Phase one of the master plan focused on restoring Burnham Lake, while phase two covers sidewalk renovations. Full-scale structural upgrades to the Children's Park are officially assigned under phase three of the development plan, followed by the rehabilitation of the skating rink in phase four.