Mayor: Better control for Baguio events mulled

CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city government is now working on additional control systems to ensure strict observance of Coronavirus disease (COVID-1) health and safety measures during events.
    The city government was criticized for breach of health protocols during the opening of Christmas in Baguio celebration and the resumption of night market activities last Dec. 1.
    The mayor acknowledged there were lapses in crowd control during the Christmas tree lighting program which attracted a huge crowd starting at 6 p.m. and also during the night market operation which ran from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.   
    In his speech during the Christmas tree lighting program, he assumed full responsibility for the incident.  
    He also suspended the operation of the night market the following day to allow refining of the strategies.
    He said the city like any other local government unit is learning to cope with the new normal way and continues to do a balancing act between reopening the economy and protecting the people from the virus.
    “Right now, we will make sure that there are more systems in place to avoid a repeat of the incident,” he said.
    City Tourism Operations Officer Aloysius Mapalo promised to do better in the next events that the city will stage saying the Dec. 1 incident was a “learning experience for us to do better and improve management next time.”
    “This is part of the healing process wherein people are looking of normalcy.  We can only do better next time,” he said.
    Market superintendent Fernando Ragma Jr. admitted that they failed to predict the size of the crowd that will venture into the night market.
     “We failed to forecast the spillover of the Christmas in Baguio attendees and we failed to anticipate the excitement of the locals to go out of their homes from months of being told to stay home,” he said.
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Christmas celebration in the city continues with reminders to residents to have a meaningful but safe merrymaking amid the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
    City Epidemiologist Dr. Donnabel  Panes urged residents to sacrifice a little by keeping to the health protocols while celebrating at the same time.
     “It will be a different Christmas this year but let’s do it so we will be able to see each other again next  Christmas,” Panes said.
    “Please be on guard, wear your personal protective equipment (PPEs), boost your immune system, open your windows for ventilation, avoid big family gatherings and the crowd,” she said.
    Things may not have gotten off to a good start due to the controversy stirred by the opening event last Dec. 1 but the city is bent on achieving a significant albeit subdued and safe celebration this year.
    Mayor Magalong, in his message during the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree program which ushered in the city’s celebration, said that as the city gets into the spirit of the season, it will continue to strive to make the celebration safe and healthy on account of the pandemic.
    "We will do it for one reason and that is because we love our family, our close friends, our neighbors, our city and all those coming to celebrate with us," he said.
    Addressing the apparent breach in health and safety protocols during the program which attracted a sizeable crowd, the mayor said he is taking full responsibility for the incident.
    "It is unfortunate but please do not blame anyone other than me as your mayor," he said.
    He said the city's celebration will continue to be guided by the COVID safety protocols issued by the national government and this will include prohibitions on some traditional activities like caroling and family and clan reunions.
    Simbang gabi will be allowed but with limitations, he said.
    "Let's not be complacent. Let's not allow ourselves to slacken or slide back to our careless ways," he said as he called on the people to continue adhering to the safety measures of wearing masks, observing physical distancing, proper hand washing and sanitizing.
    Let us keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from this virus as we commemorate the birth of Christ, he said.