The city council on Monday approved Ordinance 148, s. 2020, which grants P2.8 million financial assistance/relief for areas in Regions 2 and 4 that were badly hit by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses.
This is in response to the Nov. 16 appeal of Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong for the city to extend assistance to the provinces hit by the typhoons.
The amount is from the Quick Response Fund under the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund of the city’s 2020 budget. It shall be distributed to Cagayan -P300,000; Tuguegarao City- P200,000; Isabela-P500,000; Albay-P300,000; Camarines Sur-P300,000; Camarines Norte-P300,000; Catanduanes-P300,000; Masbate-P300,000; and Sorsogon-P300,000.
The ordinance stated that it has been the city’s practice to extend help to cities and municipalities/provinces that were badly devastated by natural or man-made calamities.
The body through Resolution 635, s. 2020 has requested Magalong to direct the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) for the conduct of “Ornamental Plants Enthusiast/Consumer Fair” amidst the “plantito/plantita fever” in Baguio.
The activity was suggested as it was seen as an effective antidote to several problems, such as depression, stress, apathy, and loneliness as result of social isolation brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The resolution said among the effective ways and remedies to mitigate the effect of drastic routine changes and social isolation are practices associated with the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants, which have positive impacts on mental health.
The resolution suggested the city mayor to task the CVAO, in coordination with the Liga ng mga Barangay, to incorporate in the guidelines for the event the theme, “Plantito/plantita Fever-Ornamental Plants Enthusiast/Consumer Fair”. The venue shall be at Malcolm Square or People’s Park on Dec. 10 to 12 only.
Only 20 booths shall be allowed and be allocated each to the 20 barangay districts represented by their respective plantitos/plantitas. The booth representatives shall be allowed to exhibit, showcase, demonstrate, and sell ornamental plants.
The city council also approved Resolution 633, s. 2020, “Expressing support to the call of various student councils in Baguio for an academic ease considering the difficulties of students after the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.
After the onslaught, various provinces in Luzon are still flooded and are continuously asking for help in recovery and relief operations, specifically in Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and Rizal among other provinces.
The resolution added because universities and higher educational institutions in the City of Baguio have homogenous composition of students who come from different affected provinces all over the Philippines, many are still unable to attend to their online classes.
It added an academic ease/freeze can help further maximize relief efforts and most importantly to allow the students enrolled in universities in the City of Baguio to recover and be able to once again join and attend their online classes.
Further, the resolutions said even if not all of the students are engaged in such relief efforts, the time that will be given for a break will be help them settle the backlog of requirements or a time for rest and healing.
Copies of the resolution were furnished to the Commission on Higher Education-Regional Office and all higher education institutions in Baguio for information and appropriate action.
The council, through Resolution 631, s. 2020, has conveyed the city’s strong support to Senate Bill 1373, “An Act Protecting Children by Prohibiting and Declaring Child Marriage as Illegal and Providing Programs and Penalties Thereof.”
The bill or the “Girls not Brides Act,” filed last Feb. 26 was recently approved with a unanimous vote on third and final reading.
The resolution said child marriages are an affront to the constitutionally and internationally recognized rights of children as such practice undermines their right to education, health, and autonomy.
The declaration is in consonance with United Nation Convention on the Rights of Child and the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act that recognize, respect, protect, fulfill, and promote all human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and children, especially the girls in the economic, social, political, cultural, and other fields.
April 26, 2024
