Domogan allows Liga in Session Road in Bloom

March 3, 2019 Headlines

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan finally gave way to Liga ng Mga Barangay to set up stalls in Session Road in Bloom (SRB), an “economic” activity of the 2019 Panagbenga.
“It will continue, but those who will occupy Mabini down to the DBP will be screened and to be decided finally by the Liga,” Domogan said in text message forwarded to Amianan Balita Ngayon (ABN).
“All those who paid with Baguio Flower Festival will be forwarded to the Liga for screening and those that cannot be accommodated will get back what they paid,” Domogan added.
As this developed, several members of the Liga, who requested not to be identified welcomed the decision of the mayor.
“We have to respect the decision of the mayor,” 2019 Panagbenga co-chairperson Elmer Datuin said. The issue cropped up when the city council passed an ordinance limiting and restricting the use of several roads in the central business district especially in Session Road and adjoining streets putting premium on safety.
The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc (BFFFI) wrote the Liga, pointing “a significant reduction of roads authorized for use by the SRB and without designating or specifying the area for the Liga ng mga Barangay and other organizations.”
BFFFI, the sole body authorized by the city government to manage the events and activities of the annual Panagbenga, which includes Session Road in Bloom, proposed and offered a total P3.84 million to the 128 barangays at P30,000 per barangay.
“Should you disagree with this proposal, the BFFFI has no other recourse but to cancel the holding of the Session Road in Bloom,” the letter (Feb. 28 2019) stated.
The Liga opposed the idea, and strongly demanded that there must be a status quo, providing them “areas” in setting up stalls, similar to what has been practiced in the past, and thus Session Road in Bloom will push through as planned.
 
 
Primo Agatep/ABN