BAC expresses continued support for Magalong; lauds DOT efforts

February 5, 2021 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY – “We continue to be in full support of Mayor Benjamin Magalong. We believe that now more than ever, the people of Baguio and the country need his type of no-nonsense and un-corruptible leadership especially as we continue to battle the scourge of the covid-19 pandemic.”
Thus, declared Baguio Auto Club president and Chairman of BALAI Timmy Apilis Mondiguing on learning of the Mayor’s irrevocable resignation as the country’s contact-tracing czar following his attendance at a birthday party where covid-19 protocols were violated.
The hotel in question, several of the guests including the birthday celebrant Tim Yap, actress KC Concepcion, and even Magalong’s wife, Arlene, have already paid the appropriate fines for the violations.
As of this writing, National Task Force head Carlito Galvez has not accepted Magalong’s resignation with Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and other top officials even affirming their confidence and faith in the leadership of the Summer Capital’s chief executive as contact-tracing czar.
In his resignation letter, Magalong pointed out that pandemic leaders like himself should “lead by example”.
“Let us look at the accountability of a ranking official, he himself should lead in doing what is right.
During that particular moment, it seems that I had a shortcoming. If we cannot implement rules like what happened in that incident, perhaps it is better that I just resign because it is all about accountability,” he said.
For his part, Mondiguing prays that the Mayor’s resignation will not be accepted and he continues on as the country’s contact-tracing czar where he has contributed so much in the fight against the deadly disease and its variants.
“Mayor Benjie’s actions only proves that he has delicadeza, a trait that many of our so-called honorable leaders are unfortunately lacking.
He immediately admits his mistakes and continues to put the interest of the country over and above his personal interest,” he said.
Mondiguing pointed out that Magalong’s type of unselfish leadership that puts the country’s interests over and above his own is what is needed especially in the midst of a once-in-a-century worldwide health crisis.
“The Mayor is a true ‘officer and a gentleman’ who deserves to continue as the nation’s contact-tracing head. It will be a great loss to the country if he is let go,” he said.
Mondiguing stressed that now is not the time to play politics since lives and livelihood are at stake but that every sector should be united and cooperate so that “we can all heal as one”.
In another matter, Mondiguing also lauded the Department of Tourism (DOT) under Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in its continued efforts in balancing the needs of the country’s tourism sector and people’s health.
This, as latest government data reveals that the Philippine economy shrank by 9.5 percent which is the country’s worst annual performance since record started after World War II and even beats the previous slump during the final years of Martial Law.
The report also stated that the Philippine economy is now the ASEAN’s worst performing economy amidst the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.
Mondiguing said that since the tourism industry is the most heavily affected sector by the ongoing pandemic, the DOT often finds itself in “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” situations as it finds ways to bolster tourism programs while making sure that these do not untowardly spread the disease to the public.
The tourism industry is one of the country’s top contributors to its economy and also provides millions of much needed jobs.
He commended the tireless energy and dedication of Sec. Puyat in rallying those in the tourism industry to never lose hope but rather stay positive that the situation will get better in the near future if we continue to work as one people and nation.
“The DOT and its leadership deserves to be commended as it continues to create programs and strategies that keep the tourism sector afloat and helps tourism-related businesses and jobs survive the onslaught of the pandemic,” Mondiguing said.-press release