The newly renovated Burnham Park in Baguio City is drawing widespread praise, marking a meaningful milestone for Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid. Recalling childhood visits to the park while his father filmed scenes for the movie Ben Tumbling, Lapid expressed personal gratitude for the chance to lead the restoration. “Burnham Lake is the heart of Baguio,” Lapid shared. “Very thankful ako and very fortunate na naging vehicle ako for the rehabilitation. I’m hoping the next generation, meron din mabigyan ng opportunity like me na for the next generation na pumunta naman dun na maganda naman siya.” The project initially faced delays when its allocated budget was temporarily diverted to pandemic relief under the Bayanihan As One Act. Three years later, TIEZA implemented the renovation using travel tax collections, where half of the funds go toward tourism infrastructure, forty percent goes to higher education scholarships, and ten percent supports national culture and arts programs. Following the completion of the lake, TIEZA is preparing its second phase covering the Rose Garden and Children’s Park.
TIEZA is also managing a broad range of infrastructure initiatives across major travel hubs. Addressing coastal water concerns in Palawan, Lapid noted that TIEZA signed a memorandum of agreement in El Nido. “There was an issue na lumabas ang black water sa shore, so ia-address namin,” he explained. “We’re going to fund ‘yung water system nila and ‘yung sa STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) para palakihan kasi number one problem ng El Nido is water.” Similar sanitation and flood control developments are underway in Boracay and Puerto Galera, while Siargao and Puerto Princesa are receiving airport terminal upgrades, first aid stations, and floating docks leading to major transit points like the Underground River. Additional projects span from Batanes down to Tawi-Tawi.
Beyond established destinations, Lapid highlighted emerging locations that are building up their local tourism sectors. Islands like Linapacan in Palawan, Siquijor, and Masbate are receiving targeted attention, with plans in Masbate to build dining facilities along its sandbars. Local authorities in Abra and Naga City are similarly moving toward ecotourism developments, particularly around Mount Isarog. Addressing concerns over environmental sustainability following past development issues in Bohol, Lapid emphasized that every project must secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the local government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources before any work begins. “Kasama dun sa criteria namin, hindi i-implement ang isang project hangga’t walang ECC compliance,” he stated. “Kung wala kang ECC, hindi ka namin pwedeng grant-an ng project tsaka hindi namin pwedeng i-implement ang project.”
Outside of official development projects, Lapid shared his excitement over the DreamWorks animated feature Forgotten Island. Watching the movie in a full theater, he praised its representation of Filipino culture, pointing out traditional gestures like pag-mamano, local folklore, and national symbols integrated into a global Hollywood platform. “It’s about how ‘yung Filipino ways natin, culture, being shown in international stage,” Lapid said. “For me, it’s a representation of us. That’s why I’m asking sa mga kababayan natin, suportahan natin… I hope mag-continue pa kumita and they can do a sequel for it, kasi nakaka-proud siya.”
Watch our full interview with Kuya Mark Lapid below: