290 erring Baguio biz establishments closed

Crackdown on 

By Gaby Keith

BAGUIO CITY – Some 290 business establishments of this summer capital were closed in this summer capital as the city government intensified crackdown on erring businesses mostly without permit.

The latest was a surprise inspection of eatery stalls at Burnham Park located near the Igorot Park, Marcos Highway among others by Mayor Benjamin Magalong Monday afternoon.

He was joined by police chief Allen Rae Co, city buildings and architects head Nazita Banez, permits and licensing head Allan Abayao, representatives from the health services office, engineering office, environment and park management office (CEPMO), public order and safety division, information office, and other departments.

Abayao said more than 290 closure orders of erring business establishments in the city have already been implemented since the new Mayor took office on July 1 and that around 36 more that Magalong signed will be enforced in the coming days.

In his meeting with the stallholders at Burnham Park, Magalong gently but firmly warned them that if he does not see any significant changes in their eateries within fifteen days in terms of sanitation, cleanliness, and in the general aesthetic of their stalls in keeping with Baguio as a major tourism hub, he will be forced to have their stalls closed.

He asked them to have their workers wear   uniforms and sanitation protective gear like hairnets when serving their customers and see to it that their stall area does not encroach or extend on the road. 

The Mayor also ordered the stall owners to stop using charcoal or “uling” in their grilling because he stressed that this causes air pollution. 

He advised them to use alternative means to do their grilling that will not adversely affect the city’s air quality.  He gave them about three months to make the transition.

Magalong said his directive is for the good of the city of Baguio and will benefit its people including themselves and the tourists who visit the Summer Capital and patronize their food stalls.

Earlier, he directed CEPMO, in coordination with other offices of the local government, to introduce the appropriate innovations to improve the state of Burnham Park in the next three months to sustain its identity as Baguio’s premier park and promenade area.

The mayor and the team proceeded to Marcos-Highway where he  led in the inspection of various business establishments located along the major thoroughfare and check whether they have the required permits and other licenses to operate.

He also conducted a surprise inspection late Wednesday afternoon along Legarda Road about reports reaching his office regarding the alleged dire situation of pine trees inside a private lot in the area.

During his first week in office, Magalong ordered business establishments without the required permits to cease their operations or else the city will have to enforce their closure. 

The warning came after he personally led in the closure of six establishments along Session and Governor Pack roads.

He has also caused the closure of several bars, billiard halls and eateries  inside the Maharlika Livelihood Center at lower Session Road for their failure to produce any business permit.

Magalong said that bars along Marcos Highway that are allegedly without business permits will be closed next if they do not comply with the local tax ordinance.