Baguio set for visitor influx; more summer activities included

BAGUIO CITY— More activities have been scheduled here for summer as influx of visitors is expected starting next week to observe Holy Week, Baguio Liberation Day and Fall of Bataan.

City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan bared this saying the city government's preparations for the Lenten season are in place, including enough supply of potable water and resources for proper collection and disposal of garbage.

It is during this period when Baguio remains cool with an average temperature of 14 to 26 degrees Celsius.

To assist local and foreign visitors of the city, a program dubbed "Summer Vacation" (SUMVAC) is being implemented here.

Domogan said the selection and awarding of "Baguio Lucky Summer Visitors" is part of the major activities in the city.

There will also be various religious rites.

"In years, we want to assure that the needs of motorists are well taken care of. This time, it is also imperative for us to assure our potable water supply. Not only that, we also have to be efficient in our garbage collection and disposal," he said.

The Baguio Water District has developed more water sources such as more deep wells to assure sufficient supply.

BWD is also into the protection of watersheds and reduction of water waste by improving its distribution lines.

On garbage disposal, the mayor said Baguio not only has increased its fleet of dump trucks but has also installed multi-million-peso composting machines to turn biodegradable wastes into organic fertilizers.

Domogan said various activities have been lined up for the annual summer calendar of events to entertain residents and tourists.

He said preparations are ongoing to address various concerns, particularly the peace and order situation to tackle traffic and criminality problems.

Local officials are also checking tourist-oriented establishments to ensure their readiness to cater to the needs of the vacationers, the mayor said.

The SUMVAC committee spearheaded by the mayor and action officer Carlos Canilao has lined up a list of religious, cultural, historical, environmental, sports and medical activities.

Lenten activities will top the city’s calendar with religious services and Lenten presentations scheduled in various churches from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

Historical activities feature the ArawsaKagitingan observance on April 9 and the Liberation of Baguio on April 27 at the Veterans Park.

Environmental treats include the Earth Hour observance on March 31.

Tourism-related activities include the search for the Lucky Summer Visitor by the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) on April 5 and barangay fiestas spread out from March to May.

Government-led activities include the Kafagway Summer’s Best in April; Tourism Frontliners Training, April 3 at the Baguio Convention Center; Lingkod Bayan, April 4 – 8; Interfaith Activities (The Past, Present and Future of Dominican Heritage and Nature Park) April 18 Dominican Heritage Hill; Jobs Fair and Labor Day Activities May 1; Sabsabong Ti Mayo and 1st Amianan Philippine International University Theater Associations Festival May 7 -11 at the SM / Baguio Convention Center; Summer Break Concert May 11 Session Road; and Philippine Flag Day on May 28.

Various educational, cultural, arts, sports and theater programs are also scheduled for the whole month of April until May.

Meanwhile, Baguio Rep. Bernardo Vergara on Monday led more than 100 volunteers in planting bamboo seedlings in various parts of the city, mostly in denuded areas within the Busol watershed and an area of Mount Santo Tomas here.

The volunteers included policemen, residents, members of the religious sector and government officials.