By City Council pushes increased Botanical Garden entrance fees in approved first reading
The proposed ordinance increasing the entrance fee at the Botanical Garden has been approved on first reading by the City Council of Baguio.
The proposed ordinance, introduced by Councilor Lilia Fariñas, will override the current entrance fees collected at the Baguio Botanical Garden as per Ordinance No. 10-2016 or the Environment Code of the city.
City Environment Parks and Management Office (CEPMO) Head Atty. Rhenan Diwas explained that in order to further transform the park into a premier destination by tourists and locals, funds must be raised, thus the proposed increase in entrance fees.
Proposed Botanical Garden Entrance Fee
Once the ordinance is approved and enacted, the following fees will be collected upon entry at the Botanical Garden:
| Current entrance fee* | Proposed entrance fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Tourists | PHP 10.00 | PHP 150.00 |
| Baguio Residents (13 y/o and above) | PHP 10.00 | PHP 50.00 |
| Children (12 y/o and below) | PHP 5.00 | PHP 30.00 |
| Senior Citizens and students | 20% discount |
*Ordinance No. 10-2016 or the Environment Code of the City of Baguio
Related: Botanical Garden Baguio City Travel Guide
In a financial study submitted to the council by CEPMO, should the proposed entrance fee be approved, projected income for 2023 would be PHP 70.2 million. This would break-even the projected expenses for the beautification, upkeep, and improvements of the park which would be PHP 69.06 million.
Aside from the original friendship parks and Japanese Tunnel, the Botanical Garden introduced new attractions such as different flower and succulent gardens, orchidarium, Cordillera Village, and bamboo walkways among others. The park reopened in March 6 of this year after undergoing rehabilitation in May 2021.
SOURCE: Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Baguio
