Mayor seeks accounting of Baguio Day solicitations

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY - Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Monday sought proper accounting of the solicitations made for the Baguio Day events and asked city departments in charge of the Baguio Day activities to improve preparation and coordination for the program to avoid lapses and inconveniences.

            

In his post-activity assessment, Domogan said city officials and personnel involved in the solicitations should account for the sponsorships whether these are in cash or in kind.

            

Some city councilors questioned the need for solicitations in view of the adequate funds allocated by the city to run the events.

            

The mayor said those who solicited should justify the need for such considering that there are activities that require more funding.

He however said there will be no question if they can sufficiently prove that the solicitations indeed went to the intended activities.

“They should declare how much was solicited, how much was spent and how much was not spent so this can be returned to the city government in the name of transparency and accountability,” he said.

            

Meanwhile, the mayor called for a review of the Baguio Day activities to determine whether they are still applicable or not.

The mayor was particularly concerned over the Unity Ball staged at the Baguio Convention Center at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1 which drew unsatisfactory attendance showing that it has not lived up to its intended significance.

The mayor said the city should consider the abolition of said activity and be replaced with a canao ritual or other more meaningful activity.                      

The mayor said the city should also improve preparations and coordination in staging the program which along with the parade is the main event of the celebration.

The mayor said the program coordinators should ensure that the program will be followed and will begin exactly as scheduled to avoid delays, lapses and inconveniences encountered in the recently concluded celebration last Sept. 1.

            

He said the program started late and that some parts were not followed thereby taking longer time than planned and caused discomfort among the guests and participants.

            

Observers noted the extended intermission numbers prompting the mayor to advise that a time limit be set for each part.  

City officials also noted blunders in the printed program and in the conduct of the parade due to seeming lack of coordination drawing complaints from participants who endured the wait for the extended ceremonies as they were made to assemble prematurely for the parade.

The mayor said the city should make sure that these mistakes will not be repeated in the succeeding celebrations and activities.