BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Baguio Bureau) – The controversial makeover of Manila Bay by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is nothing compared to what the agency did in Baguio City.

DENR has imported white sand/dolomite from Cebu and dumped it on part of the beach at Manila Bay.  The move has elicited not just a few criticism from environmentalists as well as politicians and netizens.

In Baguio, DENR has replaced the murky water at the city’s Burnham Lake with water imported from the Pacific Ocean, and the result was amazing. The lake now sparkles with blue water, providing a scenic backdrop for the for-hire paddle boats that Burnham Park is famous for.

So far, there have been no complaints from Baguio residents.

The lake’s new look awaits tourists as the city begins to open up outside tourism later this month.