GSIS pursues Baguio Tree Park to blend conservation, development
GSIS is developing a Baguio Tree Park on 3.36 hectares near Burnham Park, preserving the city's iconic pine trees while adding walkways, green space, and an amphitheater in partnership with the Baguio city government.
NEWS
8/5/20262 min read
The Government Service Insurance System is advancing plans to develop a Baguio Tree Park on a 3.36-hectare property near Burnham Park, pairing environmental conservation with responsible management of government assets, part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s push for sustainable, climate-resilient development.
The project aims to preserve Baguio City's iconic pine trees while turning the property into public green space geared toward wellness, recreation and sustainable economic activity.
The site, along Government Center-Military Cut-Off Road near the intersection of Upper Session Road and North Drive, was previously reclassified by the Baguio city government from Government-Institutional to Park and Gardens, a change that limited its allowable uses and pushed GSIS to seek legal relief.
Following talks between GSIS and the city government under Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the property was reclassified again, this time as Government-Recreational-Commercial 2A, with GSIS committing to preserve the existing pine trees and prohibit tree-cutting on site. That agreement cleared the way for GSIS to archive the legal case it had filed over the matter.
Building on that partnership, Magalong proposed converting roughly 16,000 square meters of the property into a Tree Park featuring elevated walkways, landscaped open spaces and a modest open-air amphitheater for community, wellness and recreational use. The city government also supplied GSIS with conceptual plans and technical designs for the project.
GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso said the proposed park shows how environmental protection and asset management can work together rather than against each other.
"The proposed Baguio Tree Park reflects GSIS' commitment to sustainable development, responsible stewardship of public assets, and meaningful collaboration with local government units. By preserving the site's natural environment while creating opportunities for public enjoyment and economic activity, we are creating lasting value for our members, pensioners, and the community," Veloso said.
Beyond preserving Baguio's pine forest, GSIS expects the project to support the city's sustainability goals, discourage illegal occupancy and encroachment, add recreational space, boost the property's long-term value, and generate recurring income through carefully planned micro-retail components without compromising the site's ecological character.
GSIS said it will continue coordinating with the Baguio city government and other stakeholders to ensure the Tree Park protects the city's natural heritage while delivering long-term social, environmental and economic benefits.