SLU Boys' High Alumni Homecoming Page

19/08/2026

🌿 **Burnham Lake: Beautification or True Rehabilitation?**
**Countdown to Sept. 1, 2026 Opening – Only 13 Days Left!**

As Baguio gears up to reopen the iconic Burnham Lake on September 1 for Charter Day, we must ask: Is this a genuine ecosystem restoration… or just another round of cosmetic infrastructure makeover?

To the City Government of Baguio, TIEZA, concerned national agencies, and the contractors involved — this is a call to conscience.

Yes, new boardwalks, reinforced walls, viewing decks, and fresh boats look good for photos and short-term tourism. But without **mandatory lake ecosystem rehabilitation and management**, we risk repeating the same cycle of stagnant, silty, flood-prone water that has plagued the lake for years.

What is still missing?
- Proper sand/gravel (and rock) substrate fill on the lake bed to support healthy aquatic life
- Industrial-grade water pumps, filtration, and aeration systems for continuous circulation and water quality
- Adequate water overflow outlets and robust drainage designed for Baguio’s reality

We all know the truth: constant typhoons and intense storms hit our mountain city. Upcoming weather systems will pour massive runoff into the lake. Without proper overflow systems and lake-bed management, flooding is not a possibility — it is inevitable. This is Mother Nature’s wrath reminding us that shortcuts have consequences.

This oversight raises a big question mark over ** ** and our status as a **UNESCO Creative City**. How can we claim to be a city that values creativity, sustainability, and quality of life when the heart of Burnham Park prioritizes short-term visual polish over long-term ecological health?

Cosmetic beautification is temporary.
True lake rehabilitation is generational.

Imagine the rewards if we do it right:
✨ Crystal-clear water
🐟 Healthy fish populations
🌱 Thriving underwater and aquatic plants
💎 A true jewel of Baguio — a living showcase for locals and tourists alike, boosting sustainable tourism for decades to come

The September 1 opening is almost here. There is still time to act. Let us not settle for a pretty but fragile lake. Let us demand the complete, science-based rehabilitation that Burnham Lake — and the people of Baguio — truly deserve.

City Government of Baguio. TIEZA. Agencies. Contractors.
Do the right thing.
For the lake. For our children. For generations yet to enjoy this precious heritage.

02/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/avianquest/posts/pfbid02JLSC5saCv33Goxu2JZgUYUH12JghiDjiRtCVdmRzYmuN9sCZh6d8wCRuzjSnXm7cl

📢 Open Letter to Hon. Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the Contractor (Dungan Constructors & Trading Corp. / Moment Diagram Builders Joint Venture)

Your Honorable Mayor Magalong, and to the responsible contractor/s:

Burnham Lake is not just another park feature — it is the **heart** of Burnham Park, a man-made icon of Baguio City that generations have loved for its reflective waters, boating, and natural feel. While the new sunken garden and walkway look aesthetically pleasing, they should not be the main showcase of this rehabilitation.

**The true priority must be the water quality and the lake's ecosystem.**

A beautiful boardwalk around murky or algae-filled water defeats the purpose. Residents and tourists deserve a healthy, clean lake that sustains life — not just a photo backdrop.

Why was a holistic rehabilitation not implemented?

- No proper sand and gravel substrate fill to create a stable, natural base for the lake bed.

- No industrial-grade water filtration system installed for ongoing upkeep and circulation.

These are basic ecological requirements for a man-made lake to prevent stagnation, control algae, maintain clarity, and support aquatic life. Without them, we risk repeating past problems with poor water quality, foul odors, and high maintenance costs in the near future.

The rehabilitation had a chance to restore ecological balance and improve water quality sustainably, as originally aimed. Focusing on landscaping and walkways while skipping these critical underwater foundations feels incomplete and shortsighted for long-term sustainability.

Baguio deserves better. Let us not settle for cosmetic upgrades.

Please consider additional measures — proper substrate layering, a reliable filtration/aeration system, and a science-based maintenance plan — before fully reopening.

Our lake's health is far more important than any new walkway.

Mabuhay ang Baguio! Let's make Burnham Lake truly vibrant again, not just visually, but ecologically.

Greenpeace Philippines

20/07/2026

**🌊 Urgent Call to Protect Burnham Lake – Our City’s Jewel! 💧**

Friends, People of Baguio/Cordillera and fellow lovers of the City of Pines!

As the **rainy season** pours down, we must act now to safeguard **Burnham Lake**. Its water quality is of the utmost importance—not just for the environment, but for our tourism, our health, and our legacy as the Summer Capital.

A crystal-clear Burnham Lake starts with proper **substrate lake bed fill** to stabilize the bottom and prevent siltation, combined with **industrial-grade filtration systems** to keep the water clean, oxygenated, and vibrant year-round. These are proven, effective solutions that address the root causes of murky waters and algae buildup once and for all.

This effort dovetails perfectly with the **Baguio Breathe program**—our city’s commitment to cleaner air, greener spaces, and a healthier environment for all. A pristine lake is the natural extension of “Breathe Baguio”: where clean water meets fresh mountain air, creating a true wellness destination.

Imagine the **sunken garden cm walkway promenade** finally opening to the public: families strolling along the edges, tourists snapping photos of a sparkling, mirror-like lake, boat rides gliding over clear waters. **This is what visitors come to see**—not a muddy eyesore, but a breathtaking centerpiece of Burnham Park that makes Baguio unforgettable.

**Now is the time to act!**

We call on all responsible agencies and leaders to intervene immediately and allot the necessary budget for **substrate lake bed fill and industrial-grade water filter installation**:

- **BFAR** (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources)

- **CEPMO** (City Environment and Parks Management Office)

- **City Government of Baguio** **Honorable Counselors

- ** TIEZA

- **Honorable City Mayor**

- **Honorable Congressman Mauricio G. Domogan

Let’s make Burnham Lake a shining example of environmental stewardship. Rain is falling now—every delay risks more sediment and deterioration.

Tag your friends, share this post, and let our voices be heard! Comment below with your support. Together, we can ensure future generations inherit a cleaner, clearer, and more beautiful Baguio.



💙 For a Better Baguio! 🌲

08/06/2026

**🌧️ Rainy Season in Baguio... but Burnham Lake tells a different story. 💔**

Friends, while the cool rains bring life to our pine trees and mountains, Burnham Lake remains a stark reminder of unfinished business. The lake bed lies exposed — vast stretches of mud and clay baking under the elements or turning into a soggy mess with every downpour. No sparkling water, no serene reflections, just the raw, unfinished substrate after rehabilitation works.

This isn't just an eyesore. It's a missed opportunity for true ecological restoration.

**Why lake bed substrate management and water filtration must be TOP priority:**

- Exposed mud and clay easily resuspend with rain, boating, or wind → perpetual murky, nutrient-laden water and algal issues.
- Proper substrate (layer of clean sand + gravel) creates a stable base for beneficial microbes, reduces silt resuspension, improves oxygenation, and supports aquatic plants and fish.
- Natural filtration (wetlands, plants, circulation) removes pollutants from urban runoff before they fuel more problems.

Without these, we risk repeating past cycles: drain, dredge, refill... and watch it turn murky again. A clean, clear lake needs a healthy foundation.

**On the ₱93 Million budget for the sunken promenade walkway:**

This appears tied to key rehab components (dredging/sediment work was estimated around ₱90M in related plans). Could part of this allocation accommodate a proper substrate fill of sand and gravel across the lake bed?

**Quick analysis:**
- Lake area is roughly 11,200 m². A 20-30 cm layer of quality sand/gravel mix might need several thousand cubic meters.
- At rough Philippine quarry + transport rates (₱5,000–7,000 per m³ installed, depending on specs and volume), a meaningful substrate enhancement could fit in the ₱30-50M range — well within or alongside promenade/walkway works.

**Implications if not implemented:**
- Continued poor water clarity and quality, even after reopening.
- Higher long-term maintenance costs (repeated dredging).
- Limited biodiversity and tourism appeal — people want clear water for photos, boating, and relaxation, not another muddy disappointment.
- Wasted potential of the overall rehab investment (part of the bigger ₱400M Burnham Park plan).

Baguio deserves better. Let's urge our city officials, TIEZA, and CEPMO to prioritize the ecological fundamentals alongside the beautiful promenades and amenities. A truly restored Burnham Lake with clear water would be a legacy we can all be proud of — honoring Daniel Burnham's vision with modern, sustainable thinking.

Tag your Baguio friends and leaders. Share this if you want a cleaner, clearer Burnham Lake! 🌲💧