March 29, 2024

The city council on Monday sent through Resolution 065, s. 2020 the city government of Baguio’s message of condolence to the family of the late Kobe Bean Bryant, popularly known worldwide in the field of basketball as “Black Mamba.”
Bryant, 41, died together with his daughter Gianna along with seven others in a fiery helicopter crash last Jan. 26 near Calabasas in California, U.S.A.
Born on Aug. 23, 1978, Bryant followed the career of his father, former NBA player Joe Bryant until he was regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
The resolution stated that the late NBA legend had a soft spot for his Filipino fans, as he always showed in the several times, he visited the country. He is also one of the sports superstars loved by Filipinos. He first visited the country in 1998, just two years after he debuted in the NBA as a 17-year-old straight out of high school, and last visited in 2016, just months after he retired from the NBA.
Kobe’s goal-achieving personality and as a role model has touched the hearts and inspired millions of his Filipino fans to pursue their love and passion for basketball and other sports-related activities and livelihoods that are worthy to their physical, personal, social, and mental growth and development guided by his “mamba mentality,” which he defined as “always aiming to be better at what one does.”
Meanwhile, the body through Ordinance 11, s. 2020 has approved anew the temporary closure of Session Road to vehicular traffic for one month or four consecutive Sundays this February.
The approval is in response to the request of City Mayor Benjamin Magalong for extension of the six months temporary closure of Session Road as earlier authorized under Ordinance 65, s. 2019. Instead of the requested extension until June 2020, the body considered allowing only one month or four consecutive weeks of February pending the submission of the City Mayor’s Office of the evaluation report of the result of previous closure.
The one month closure is subject to condition that the City Mayor’s Office shall submit within two weeks an evaluation report, including reports from the Baguio City Police Office, on the impact of traffic and peace and order in the area, and the air quality report from the Environmental Management Bureau-Department of Environment and Natural Resources for consideration as basis for any extension or non-extension.
In Ordinance 05, s. 2020, the body approved the temporary closure and use of various roads within the central business district for the conduct of 2020 Panagbenga Festival.
On Feb. 1, 1 a.m. to 2 p.m. – South Drive (from entrance of Teacher’s Camp up to Panagbenga Park); from Panagbenga Park to Lower Session Road; Session Road, Magsaysay Avenue up to intersection fronting the Baguio Center Mall; from the intersection of Harrison Road and Lake Drive fronting the Baguio Patriotic School – for the grand opening parade and drum and lyre competition/elimination round;
On Feb. 29, 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. – from South Drive, Military Cut-Off rotunda to Lower Session Road, Magsaysay Road and Harrison Road – for the Grand Street Dance Parade;
On March 1, 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. – from South Drive, Military Cut-Off rotunda to Lower Session Road, Magsaysay Road and Harrison Road – for the grand float parade;
Immediately after the float parade on March 1 up to midnight of March 8, Session Road (from SM rotunda to Malcolm Square Mercury Drug) will be closed for the Session Road in Bloom;
Portions of the adjoining streets of Session Road such as Gov. Pack Road – for the main stage, emergency ingress/egress and for garbage trucks; Assumption Road – for emergency ingress/egress, for delivery trucks/vans of pavilion owners and for garbage trucks; Fr. Carlu Loop – for the BB-PICAG emergency ingress/egress, for delivery trucks of pavilion owners and for garbage trucks; Calderon and Perfecto streets – for emergency ingress/egress, place outpost, delivery trucks of pavilion owners and for garbage trucks; and Mabini Street – open to traffic only.
The ordinance prohibits the use of said roads by barangays, individuals or groups for their own trade fair or activities for the duration the festival.
The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. is tasked to coordinate with the BCPO-Traffic Management Unit, among others, to place directory signs for alternative road/route two weeks before the start of all events indicating the time and date; conduct routine works and assign personnel to oversee traffic in the area; man traffic on alternative routes; ensure flow of traffic at T. Claudio Street, F. Calderon Street, and C. Carantes Street; and regularly coordinate and consult with the barangay officials affected by the closure of roads for proper traffic monitoring.
Further, the measure re-routed the loading and unloading area of Victory Liner Bus to the Baguio Convention Center grounds from 5 a.m. to midnight on Feb. 1 and 29 and March 1 to ensure the unobstructed use of Upper Session Road during the opening parade, street parade, and the float parade.