No trade fair, only Baguio blooms extension – mayor

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Wednesday clarified that he sanctioned the extension of the Baguio Blooms at Burnham Park to accommodate more stalls for the Panagbenga activity but not the conduct of a trade fair in the area.

The mayor returned unsigned and with a notation a city council resolution allowing two groups to conduct “bazaar activities” in connection with the Panagbenga activities but apparently independent from the Baguio Flower Festival 

Foundation Inc.-sanctioned Baguio Blooms, along Juan Luna Drive at the park.

In his marginal note, the mayor pointed out that he did not agree to a trade fair but only to the extension of the Baguio Blooms subject to the terms and conditions set for the event by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. 

He said this means that those who will avail of the additional spaces will have to apply for registration with the BFFI Baguio Blooms committee and will be subject to the same rules being applied to the present Baguio Blooms concessionaires.

They also have to operate under the BFFI and not under any private individual or organization, the mayor stressed.  

The city council last Monday allowed two groups – Pilipinas Realty Management Corporation and Shining Star – to share the Juan Luna space for the conduct of bazaar activities in line with the Panagbenga celebration from Feb. 17 to March 8.

In giving the go signal, the body put in as conditions that the groups will be under the supervision of city treasurer Alicia Onoza, the designated chair of the Baguio Blooms activity and that they will be subject to the same terms and conditions as those required in the Panagbenga event as per the administrative order of the mayor.

Earlier, the council committee on market under Councilor Elaine Sembrano, expressed reservations on allowing the applicants saying it may be improper considering that the Baguio Blooms exhibition is already underway.  The committee was also wary that it may cause further obstructions in the area and may be in violation of the city’s trade fair ordinance.

Last Thursday, the tents were put up in the area raising opposition from the Baguio Blooms concessionaires wary of competition and from BFFI head Anthony De Leon who said this did not pass through BFFI screening and thus cannot be considered part of the official Panagbenga activity.

Vice Mayor Edison Bilog assured however that the proceeds of the bazaar will also to go to BFFI.

Under the city’s trade fair ordinance, no such activity is allowed anywhere in the city at any time.

Domogan said that the only exception is the Baguio Blooms being an institutionalized activity of the Panagbenga, the city’s biggest official tourism event.