The city council closed 2022 with immense accomplishments through the stewardship of Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan and with the contributions and cooperation of councilors Benny Bomogao, Jose Molintas, Arthur Allad-iw, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Leandro Yangot Jr., Isabelo Cosalan Jr., Maria Mylen Victoria Yaranon, Elmer Datuin, Peter Fianza, Vladimir Cayabas, Lilia Fariñas, Fred Bagbagen, Michael Lawana, and Levy Lloyd Orcales.
These were carried out through resolutions and ordinances meant for the delivery of quality public service and instrumental to the overall recovery of the physical, mental, social and economic conditions of the people from the impact of pandemic.
Foremost is Ordinance 1, s. 2022, which authorized the use of the P1.071 million Baguio Convention and Cultural Center (BCCC) trust fund for the payment of six months salaries of job order personnel at BCCC who at that time were adjusting to the new normal and are in dire need of finances.
The trust fund was also used to sustain the operation of the BCCC which was used for meetings, programs, conferences, and exhibitions.
For livelihood, the city council enacted Ordinance 38, s. 2022 that granted a rental holiday on city-owned real properties, buildings, stalls, unit or spaces rented out by the city government during the general community quarantine of 2021.
In Ordinance 39, s. 2022, business establishments that employ senior citizens and differently-abled persons were granted tax incentives or deductions from their gross sales or receipts equivalent to 50 percent of the total amount paid as salaries and wages for personal services rendered by qualified beneficiaries, or whatever percentage of tax deduction recommended by the Local Finance Committee and most beneficial, feasible, or acceptable according to existing tax and budget laws, rules and regulations.
In support to the efforts of the local and national governments for the containment and prevention of the spread of Covid-19, the city council through Resolution 4, s. 2022 confirmed the memorandum of agreement for the continued operations of the Teachers’ Camp as temporary treatment and monitoring facility, temporary quarantine facility, and central triage unit.
Parties in the MOA were the city government of Baguio, the regional offices of the Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
Aligned with the intent of Ordinance 54, s. 2021 or the amnesty to applicants for electrical service connection that expired on Nov. 16, 2021, the city council extended through another ordinance its application for a period of six months.
The extension had given opportunity, especially poor constituents, to avail of the benefits of such social legislation which aim is to provide the basic needs of the people to improve their social, economic and living conditions.
Ordinance 19, s. 2022 authorized the temporary closure and use of specific city roads as venues for the programs and activities of the Panagbenga Festival 2022.
Through Ordinance 16, s. 2022 the city’s programs on sexually transmitted infection and human immunodeficiency syndrome or acquired immune deficiency syndrome has been institutionalized through the creation of the local HIV/AIDS Coordinating Council.
As a means to heighten public awareness on the fight against drugs and the prevention of drug-related offenses, a provision of Ordinance 15, s. 2014 was amended by Ordinance 62, s. 2022 increasing to P5,000 the reward to any person or group of persons, upon certification by the Baguio City Police Office director, that their information had led to the apprehension and prosecution of a suspect. By reason of their testimony, the informer/s shall be given an additional P10,000 upon conviction of an accused.
Proper use and appropriation of public funds for various citywide and barangay projects were authorized under series of ordinan-ces, as well as resolutions giving favorable review on barangay ordinances and budgets.
The city council also conferred to residents or individuals resolutions of commendation in recognition of their good deeds, exemplary achievements in their respective fields, and roles and contributions that either uplifted the image or propelled development of the city.
Bona fide civil society organizations were accredited by the city council through resolutions. The accredited associations have served as partners of the city in the formulation and implementation of the city’s policy direction through different legislative and executive committees, boards, and bodies.
In separate ordinances, the council approved the creation, institutionalization or establishment of the Baguio City Cooperative Development Council; the Baguio City Community-Based Peer Teaching and Tutorial Program for Youth and Dtudents; the school of living tradition as part of the revitalization of indigenous cultural heritage by students in the different schools in the city; the Pastoral Appreciation Week every last week of October of every year; the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office as a department of the city government; the Baguio City Information and Communications Technology Council; and the comprehensive geriatrics program.
The city council also passed ordinances that authorized the grant of financial assistance of around P3.5M to areas struck by calamities, particularly the municipalities/cities in Region 6 and the Bangsamoro region which were devastated by a typhoon; Banaue, Ifugao which was badly hit by the southwest monsoon; and municipalities in Abra stricken by the earthquake.
