BAGUIO CITY — At least P40 million was set aside by concerned agencies of the national government this year and for the first quarter of next year to jumpstart the rehabilitation of Burnham Park, the city’s premier tourist destination, in order to perk up the local tourism industry which suffered serious setbacks over the past several years.

 Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara, a member of the House committee on tourism, said P20 million will be released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year, while another P20 million was committed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprises Zone Authority (TIEZA) to rehabilitate the deteriorating city park.

According to Vergara, the major projects to be undertaken inside the 12 areas of Burnham Park include landscaping, lighting, beautification, and upgrading of structures to bring back the park’s pristine beauty that will once again attract the influx of local and foreign tourists. (Dexter See)

Dagupan Mulls Banning Plastic

DAGUPAN CITY — This city is expected to prohibit the selling of plastic materials as soon as the city ordinance regarding this matter is enacted. Draft Ordinance No. 0-432 seeks to ban the sale and/or use of plastic and Styrofoam packaging materials in residential houses, commercial establishments, government and private offices.

 City Councilor Jesus D. Canto claimed that while plastic bags are convenient and free, it is a serious threat to the environment and is hazardous to marine life and other sea creatures. A series of public hearings are set for the draft ordinance.

Plants, factories, schools, hospitals, and institutions in this city are proposed to be covered by the measure. The draft ordinance is a local take-off of Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the “Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”

 The proposed legislative measure was calendared for first reading in the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s regular session, and subsequently referred to the committees on environment and natural resources, on health and sanitation, and on laws, ordinances and judiciary. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

Baguio Bans Kids as Baggage Boys

BAGUIO CITY — City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan has barred children from working as baggage boys and girls and those selling cellophanes to market goers at the city public market in order to prevent them from being used by syndicates to pursue their illegal trade.

The order of the local chief executive here was relayed to the thousands of market vendors who attended a general assembly called by the city government to discuss various issues and concerns relative to the conduct of trade and commerce in the city’s show window.

According to Domogan, the use of children as baggage boys and those selling cellophanes are in violation of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Code of the Philippines, and Ordinance No. 79, Series of 2009 or the Children’s Welfare Code.

 While the city had been tolerating children as baggage boys and those selling cellophanes in the past, Domogan claimed it is obvious that the children trying to earn a living the descent way are allegedly being used by syndicates to advance their interests, particularly in pick-pocketing, and shoplifting, among other illegal activities.

The latest victim of pick-pocketing was Pangasinan 4th District Rep. Maria Georgina de Venecia. (Dexter See)