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Mayor sets guidelines for squatters’ relocation

BAGUIO CITY (May 19) — Mayor Braulio Yaranon has set the guidelines for the development of a relocation site for qualified squatters within the newly transferred Diplomat Hotel property at Dominican Hill here. The said area is also known as Baguio Heritage Hill.

The proposed guidelines include the conduct of a survey of the identified relocation site fro funding from any savings of the Heritage Development Fund under the 2004 city budget. The chosen cite would be subdivided into 75 square meters each depending on the location of the lot. Afterwards, a census of the affected squatters would be conducted. Affected residents are expected to provide legal evidences of their structure to avail of the relocation privileges under Republic Act No. 7279 or the Lina Law.

The said guidelines would be implemented by the city building architects office under Flores in coordination with councilor Galo Weygan, who serves as project coordinator.

The mayor’s memorandum is already submitted to the city council for approval. #Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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Bingo establishment closed

BAGUIO CITY (May 19) — Mayor Braulio Yaranon ordered last Thursday the closure and dismantling of a bingo establishment operating at the Dangwa bus station in Barangay Kagitingan here.

In his administrative order, Yaranon gave the establishment’s owner Antonio Ramos 24 hours to close and demolish the structure if not; city authorities would demolish the said structure.

Yaranon directed the city police to provide security in the implementation of the said order.

The presence of the said establishment was reported to the mayor by concerned citizens, who claimed that the structure operates even late at night and even luring minors to play.

However, the operators refused to follow the order.

“Bingo game is illegal gambling according to law under section 10 (1a) of (Presidential Decree) PD 1602 and (Letter of Intent) LOI No. 816 and local Government Code section 391 (11). Furthermore, the Local Legislative body can not authorize gambling within its territory,” the mayor noted.

The mayor added that any further violation to the said order would lead to the filing of necessary legal measure. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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City firms up ties with Taiwan

BAGUIO CITY (May 19) — Taitung county in Taiwan has invited a city delegation to formalize a sisterhood pact on the upcoming Austronesian Indigenous Cultural Festival. Taitung will be the 21st foreign country to forge ties with Baguio.

The Philippine Sisterhood and Twinning Association is considering sending a cultural troupe to the said event. The city has already established sisterhood ties with 14 cities and towns in the country.

The city has also been invited to attend the 49th Annual Sister Cities International Conference in Spokane, Washington form July 27 to 31 this year. # Ramon Dacawi/PIO

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Fire brigade olympics champs lauded

BAGUIO CITY (May 19) — The City Council commended the winners of the 5th Fire Brigade Olympics held last March here, which was part of the Fire Prevention Month activities.

The Philippine Air Force team emerged as the champion followed by the Guardians Center Foundation, and the Baguio City Emergency Service Team I.

A council resolution was approved last week congratulating the said organizations. The activity was headed by the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Safety City Office. # Gaby Keith/PIO

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Mt Prov rep withdraws bill on Forbes reservation

BAGUIO CITY (May 19) — Mountain Province Rep. Victor Dominguez withdrew House Bill No. 3172, which seeks to exclude a portion of the Forbes Forest Reservation in Gibraltar here from the City Townsite Reservation and from Proclamations No. 10 and 63 declaring the area as forest reservation due to strong opposition lodged by city officials. The bill also seeks to declare the area open for disposition to qualified applicants.

Dominguez in an April 27 letter to House Committee on Natural Resources Chair Leovigildo Banaag said that the bill’s pull-out is in deference to the opposition of the city council. Banaag immediately informed City Mayor Braulio Yaranon of Dominguez’ move in a letter dated April 27.

Banaag accordingly received a copy of the city council resolution airing the officials’ objection to the bill.

The resolution noted that the bill is contrary to national interest and general welfare of city residents. The same resolution also asked City Rep. Mauricio Domogan to lead the campaign against the said bill.

The aldermen noted that Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Cordillera Executive Director Isias Borongan also submitted a position paper to Banaag opposing the said bill. #Aileen p. Refuerzo/PIO

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