The Camp Peppot Media Bamboo Ecopark at Burnham Park officially opened to the public July 13, marking its formal transformation into a specialized bambusetum designed to showcase the plant’s ecological and economic potential.
The project is a joint partnership of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club Inc., the City Government of Baguio, and the Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc., with corporate support from All In Philippines. The initiative builds on the city’s ongoing Adopt-a-Park program, which encourages civic groups to rehabilitate urban green spaces.
Serving as both a recreational space and an educational hub detailing the environmental significance of bamboo development, the upgraded park feature 1,014 bamboo stocks across more than 20 distinct species, surpassing initial planting targets.
Educational displays along the park’s walkways inform visitors about the species and their practical uses in daily life and industry.
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong said expanding bamboo cultivation is a key component of the city’s climate change mitigation strategy. Initial studies cited during the launch indicate that bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide at rates three to six times higher than many traditional tree species.
The city plans to integrate further bamboo planting alongside native pine trees across public spaces.
“Beyond environmental restoration, bamboo offers substantial economic value through its diverse commercial applications,” said Ed Manda, president of Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc.
Manda added that the foundation intends for the park to demonstrate how bamboo farming can support sustainable livelihood programs and regional development goals.
The site, long managed by the local media community, underwent a systematic overhaul and replanting process in recent months to transition from a basic green space into a botanical sanctuary.
To protect the newly established bamboo stocks, the city government strictly prohibits cutting, climbing, littering, and smoking within park boundaries. NLMonitor
