Mayor to carnival operator: Comply with rules or close

By Paul Rillorta

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan this week ordered the proponents of a carnival here to comply with city rules before they are allowed to operate their business.

The mayor said he has already ordered City Environment and parks Management Officer CordeliaLacsamana to personally contact the operators to immediately submit a detailed plan of activities before their business can proceed.

Domogan said the proponents are required to submit the details of activities for the carnival to make sure that what will be showcased is ‘wholesome’ entertainment.

‘What we are expecting is a carnival which is for the whole family where residents can enjoy and have fun’, Domogan said.

‘If what they are planning is a carnival which is similar to the one we denied previously, we won’t allow it’, he stressed.

The mayor also said the proponents are also required to secure a certification of safety for their rides.

‘The amusement rides should be properly checked and inspected to comply with safety standards as required by the City Engineer’s Office before a certification can be issued to them and all taxes should have to be paid first’, he said.

The proponents are required to pay an Amusement Tax as indicated in Tax Ordinance 2000-01 Section 9 before they can be allowed to operate.

The carnival which has been approved by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI) to operate beside the FVR gymnasium transferred to the Melvin Jones Football Field claiming the lack of potential customers in the area.

Domogan said the contract which will be executed between the city and the proponents of the carnival should include the restoration of the area to its original state, including the grass that might be destroyed due to the equipments of the latter.

“If they don’t comply with these conditions, we won’t allow them to operate,” Domogan said.