Photographers, cops clear Burnham ‘criminal haven’

By Bong Cayabyab

BAGUIO CITY - They worked silently to make Baguio more peaceful.

After typhoons "Pedring" and "Quiel" battered the city, members of the Baguio Commercial Photographers Guild, Inc. embarked anew Oct. 4 on a clean-up drive and finally clear the suspected hiding place of criminal elements at the back of Lions Club fronting Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center at Burnham Park.

This time they were joined by City Police Director Senior Supt. David Lacdan with more than 30 police personnel, ten volunteers from City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council headed by OIC Disaster Operations head Julius Santos and foresters from the City Environment, Park Management Office led by forester Walter Aguirre and the Mayor's Office.

The activity dubbed "Pulot Brigade" and involved clearing and massive tree planting activities.

Vice mayor Daniel Farinas, adviser and legal counsel of BCPGI attended the "kick-off" program at the Compac 2 Police Sub Station at Burnham Park and joined the group during the "Pulot Brigade" which covered Compac 2 to Kisad Road and Governor Pack Road Extension to pick up litters along the road. National Police Commission administrative officer Soledad Benwaren also joined the undertaking.

"I am proud as your legal counsel. You sacrificed yourselves. Even without earning. You with the support of the police CDRRMC and CEPMO are here today to support your project to prevent crime, clean and beautify our city and your advocacy to "Save Planet Eart" by planting 500 pine and six bamboo tree seedlings," Farinas said.

To ensure the survival of the trees planted by the group, Forester Aguirre supervised the tree planting activity while Councilor Peter Fianza, adviser and legal counsel of BCPGI surprised the group and helped cut and uproot sunflowers along the shrub area.

CEPMO department head Cordelia Lacsamana and Vice Mayor Farinas assured to give the area for adoption for the group . "This is unique. You work hard to clear and clean the area while planting trees without a Memorandum of Agreement"' they said referring to the concept of other group to first sign a Memorandum of Agreement before the undertaking of the project and later forget about their responsibilities.

Upon learning of the plight of Burnham Park photographers this rainy season when tourists are few and for between City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan promised to give half cavan and assorted can goods to each members of the BCPGI who attended the "Work for Food" program of the city government.

"I commend the BCPGI under the leadership of Mr. Cabillan. The Burnham park photographers are our silent partners in preventing crimes,beautify and clean our parks and protect our environment since commercial photography started at Burnham Park in the early years,” Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said.

The Mayor helped the BCPGI by approving the set-up of four units of costume for hire and gallery for the photographers in the hope of reviving commercial photography business which faced demise to technology considering most park goers have digital cameras and cell phones with cameras.