The city government of Baguio is working closely with concerned government agencies to fortify efforts in enlivening programs and projects relative to culture, arts, crafts and heritage.
In his state of the city address, delivered during the 112th Baguio Charter Day anniversary last Sept. 1, Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced that for hard infrastructure, the city government is pursuing the conversion of the old Diplomat Hotel into a culture, arts and heritage center. A master development plan is being worked out which would P323 million due to major engineering works.
He added the National Commission for Culture and the Arts committed to support the project that will enable the establishment of a Baguio Academy for Culture and the Arts.
Also being worked out is the cultural mapping project of the city under the guidance of the NCCA where activities like the Ibagiw Festival, Montañosa Film Festival, Mangan Taku culinary food fair, Sabsabong ti Mayo floral sculpture, and Mandeko Kito artisans market will be institutionalized.
The city government also partnered with the Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region to support the upgrading of the loom weaving industry in Baguio.
Institutionalization of some events and upgrading of the crafts and trade industry is in accordance with Ordinance 45, s. 2021 that formalized the Creative Baguio City Council (CBCC).
The CBCC will spearhead the implementation of plans and programs on crafts and folk arts pursuant to the city government’s commitment with Unesco as a creative city for crafts and folk arts in 2017, the first in the Philippines for a city to be vested with the honor of being one of the 44 countries that constitute the Unesco Creative Cities Network.
“We should strengthen our efforts to flourish not only on crafts and folk arts but expansively on other artistic expressions that are home-grown,” the mayor said. – Jessa Samidan
April 23, 2024
