September 4 to be declared as Daniel Burnham Day in Baguio

The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance declaring every September 4 as Arch. Daniel Burnham Day in the city.

Under the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon, the local government wishes to commemorate the birth anniversary of Arch. Daniel H. Burnham, a renowned American architect and urban planner, who designed the original plan for the city.

The ordinance added to the said end, the city, through the City Buildings and Architecture Office, the City Planning and Development Office and the City Environment and Parks Management Office, in coordination with the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Baguio chapter shall come up with programs and activities aimed at commemorating the birth anniversary of Burnham.

Further, funds shall be located by the local government annually to defray the expenses for the conduct of various activities during the celebration of Burnham’s birth anniversary which falls on September 4.

Yaranon underscored that it is fitting that the local government that Arch. Burnham helped design should commemorate the date of his birth to give honor and respect to his important contribution in the city’s growth and development

Daniel Hudson Burnham, an American architect and urban designer, was born on September 4, 1846 in Hinderson, New York.

He envisioned Baguio city to be the country’s Summer Capital, which was released later in 1903 after he prepared the city’s master plan which was initially good for around 25,000 inhabitants. The proposed ordinance was referred to the concerned committee for study and recommendation on whether the proposal will be calendared for second and third readings in the coming weeks. – Dexter A. See