BAGUIO CITY — The head of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) issued a public apology following a parent’s online post highlighting the deteriorating state of play equipment at the Children’s Park in Burnham Park.

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

The parent’s concern, which circulated on local social media forums, noted that only a few slides remained functional while multiple playsets 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 playsets and refurbished older structures, including seesaws, swings, and monkey bars, to comply with safety and health standards.

Despite those past improvements, continuous daily use and weather exposure contributed to the recent decay of the amenities, officials said.

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.

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.