Baguio city: The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) on Thursday turned over three automated tourism first-aid stations worth PHP4.7 million for parks in Baguio City. During the turnover ceremony at Burnham Park, TIEZA General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid said Baguio is the first local government unit to receive three tourism first-aid stations under the program.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lapid stated that Baguio is the model for the new first-aid stations, with plans to install them in Puerto Galera, Siargao, Bohol, and Boracay. These stations will be monitored by personnel at the command center who are trained and equipped to respond to emergencies. In an emergency, the public can enter the station and press an alert button that connects directly to the city's command center. Operators can communicate with the caller and provide instructions while emergency responders are en route.
The Burnham Park station, located near the skating rink, across the tennis court, and beside the entrance to the children's park, is equipped with a first-aid kit, an automated external defibrillator, a pull-out stretcher, an intercom linked to the Baguio City command center, and closed-circuit television cameras. It also has a solar panel to ensure continued operation during power outages. Mayor Benjamin Magalong mentioned that the stations are integrated with the city's central command center and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, allowing emergency personnel to respond more efficiently.
Magalong explained that responders can provide immediate assistance for cases involving wounds, hypertension, dizziness, stroke, and fainting while medical teams are on the way. The city's average emergency response time ranges from seven to 12 minutes. He expressed that the new facilities will enhance the efficiency of the city's emergency response system. Magalong added that the facilities will be protected through CCTV monitoring and regular patrols by Burnham Park security personnel, appealing to the public to help maintain them.
Lapid also inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of Burnham Lake during his visit. He stated that the project will be turned over in August, with the landscaping completed and water restored. More than 80 percent of the rehabilitation work has been completed, as part of the PHP500-million redevelopment of Burnham Park, which includes improvements to the children's playground, Rose Garden, and the areas surrounding the lake. TIEZA is preparing for the project's second phase, with procurement set to begin once the project plan is verified. The entire Burnham Park rehabilitation project is expected to be completed by next year.
