Sagada sets rules on Manila- organized concerts, events

Following gig of top singers 

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA Mountain Province – Manila-based or local groups holding events in this tourist town like concerts or marathons for a cause will now have to abide with regulations set by the municipal government.

This, after a Manila-based organizer reportedly made a lot of money after the concert in the clouds event leaving nothing to beneficiaries.

Performers included Gary Valenciano, Freddie Aguilar, Noli Cabangon among other popular singers and groups.  

An ordinance on the matter is set to be formally approved for implementation after a public hearing was held here “regulating the conduct of any tourism fund raising activity/event within the municipality of Sagada” participants were one in saying any individual or group outside  the municipality shall partner with  a local accredited organization and identify beneficiary  of any income generating activity that happens in this tourist town.

Following this, participants representing barangays, sectoral organizations and the Sagada public agreed that the proponent organization or individual shall disclose beneficiaries, target gross amount of collections, participants, date, venue, security, waste management and actual proceeds and expenses of the fund raising activity.   

Mayor James Pooten said it is a must that income generating event shall identify beneficiaries and the town benefitted otherwise such activity is a waste of time and effort of the public.

Ambasing  barangay chairman Rovaldine Dagacan said income generating activities in the past made use of barangay’s time and effort, left dirt for the officials to clean with no benefit left for the place.

The proposed ordinance as presented by the Sangguniang Bayan for consultation set a non refundable 10%- 15%  of the total target gross  collections to be submitted to the local government unit before the activity. 

This apart from a bond to answer for garbage cleaning  after the event.   

To ensure share of beneficiaries, SB secretary Ireneus Tauli said organizers shall ink a memorandum of agreement with  beneficiaries.

This way, the beneficiary shall run after or sue the organization should there be any breach of agreement on share of beneficiaries from the proceeds of the event, said Eduardo Umaming Jr, former Sangguniang Bayan member.  

Other requirements that the proponent organization shall submit are the activity plan and payment of fees to enable issuance of mayor’s permit and  municipal social welfare and development (MSWD) permit along with conditions on waste management, security, peace and order.

It has been noted that previous events like the Concert in the Clouds conducted by Manila based artist Ed Formoso with three local individuals and three local guide groups held last year did not benefit beneficiaries nor was there an agreement done with the beneficiaries before the event was done

No share was given to the host barangay.

In contrast,  following a recent fun run,  the beneficiary  Sagada National High School received a projector and mono block chairs from organizers Team Tagtag, a local organization which teamed up with Manila- based Team Malaya, said  Biag Daoas of Team Tagtag.

Sagada has been a host of activities organized by groups outside Sagada either by themselves or in partnership with local individuals or groups.

In the past, Sagada held tourism related fund raising activities such as the unpopular 2014 December bonfire marketing the culture of Sagada by Manila-based Travel Factor in partnership with a guide group having benefited local baseball group Ganduyan Bucks.

A marathon conducted by Manila-based Team Malaya Dunamis with the municipal government in  2014 did not identify any beneficiary.

A gift giving activity called SagadangTulong with no mayor's permit nor MSWD permit was done by domestic tourists having solicited money and goods and school supplies given to  "indigenous children” of Sagada done in partnership with some individuals in town.

It was also proposed that promotion of a proposed fund raising activity shall not commence until all requirements are met

It was suggested any violation of the provisions of the proposed ordinance shall subject each officer of the proponent organization to pay  P2,500.00.