Baguio officials want hotel strictly watched

By Julie G. Fianza
BAGUIO CITY- The city council last week approved the proposed resolution of Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda mandating the strict compliance of Novotel, now being constructed along Abanao st. extension, to “time honored principle of tradition and heritage of the city.”

The lady councilor proposed the resolution to quell expressed “anticipatory doubts” of concerned individuals as to the operation of the hotel.

Earlier, vice-mayor Daniel Farinas, then the acting mayor allayed such doubts for the construction, said to be a motel. Such operation, Councilor Tabanda stated in her resolution, would not speak well “of the family-oriented culture that Baguio has always been known for.”

The council thus mandated Novotel owner William Go to strictly abide by the qualifications and “operate strictly as a standard hotel,” as to minimum requirements of the revised Baguio Tourism Code.

According to then acting mayor Farinas, Go, being the owner of the on-going construction just below city hall has complied with the requirements, such as excavation and building permits, set by the City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO), thus could go on.

There is “nothing illegal” being done as of now, as to the use of the place, then acting mayor Farinas clarified.

During an earlier council session, residents of adjoining areas as represented by Catherine Arvisu-de la Rosa and Adelaida Lim Perez protested the construction with worries on the eventual use of the place, and the on-going construction. “The place should be preserved as it has historical significance,” it was said.

Go, who was present during the session, denied that the building is for a motel, but for a standard six-floor hotel.

In addition to the council looking into the strict compliance of Go to building standards, Councilor Fred Bagbagen of the committee on laws agreed that the Zoning Ordinance be looked into.