Baguio mayor gives in to council stand vs Panagbenga trade fair

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Monday gave in to the city council’s resolve not to allow Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition at the Burnham Park skating rink area and asked the body to instead approve the use of the Jadewell parking site to relocate the Panagbenga activity.

The city council in its session also last Monday denied with finality the mayor’s appeal for the aldermen’s reconsideration of their stand to prohibit the use of the skating rink site.

“It is unfortunate that you did not consider my reasons in not signing the two resolutions which is actually a veto and denied my series of appeal,” the mayor said.

“Be that as it may, I do not insist to let the 2019 Panagbenga Baguio Blooms stay at the Skating Rink and its surroundings for it is obvious that this August Body do not agree despite the explanations I made.”

He requested the body to immediately approve the transfer of the fair to the Jadewell parking as “time is of the essence.”

He asked however that the landscapes put up as entries to the landscaping contest, also a regular feature of the Panagbenga, to remain at the skating area site citing the difficulty of transferring them to another venue.

These landscapes do not cause damage and on the contrary enhance the beauty of the skating rink environs, he added.

The mayor did not sign Resolution No. 19-19 of the city council which disapproved the tradie fair at the skating rink site saying it violates the Environment Code and the Trade Fair Ordinance of the city and will destroy the park.

In his veto message dated Jan. 28, the mayor said it does not violate the Environment Code and cited section 14 of Ordinance No. 18-16 which allows the temporary closure of the protected landscapes for events conducted in relation to institutionalized activities organized or co-sponsored by the city government.

The mayor also called out the city council on an old measure Resolution No. 11-A series of 2014 which declared the fair as exempt from the Trade Fair ordinance being a city government undertaking.

The mayor said Baguio Blooms has been part of the traditional attractions of the Panagbenga.

Proceeds from the fair helps sustain the budget which is being used to finance the subsidy being given to participating elementary and high schools and the prices of the winners in the grand street dance and floral parades.