■ Jane B. Cadalig
Even institutions that were the subjects of the Baguio Midland Courier’s critical reporting expressed sadness over the publication’s scheduled closure.
As messages of regret over Midland’s decision to cease its operations next week, July 22, continue in the publication’s inbox and on social media, one of the institutions Midland kept a critical eye on expressed its sincere appreciation to the paper.
The Baguio City Council has expressed gratitude and appreciation to Midland for upholding the highest standards of journalism ethics in the last 77 years.
In a resolution, the council said it was deeply saddened when Midland announced it would publish its final issue on July 21, Sunday.
“The local publication holds a special place in the hearts and minds of many, including the local government, for empowering the people through its unbiased reporting and informative articles, presenting the true picture of events and issues,” the resolution stated.
It also acknowledged Midland’s “serving as a platform for community engagements where opinions were respected, milestones were celebrated, fair commentaries were delivered, and issues were expounded within the comprehension of its readers.”
On numerous times, the city council and its members were at the receiving end of Midland fulfilling its watchdog functions with news, editorials, and even blind items criticizing how the legislative body decided on certain issues, including pieces that call the council’s attention to act on subjects the public deemed as matters to be prioritized.
Young civic leader Ryan Dale Mangusan, who was once an employee at the City Hall under former Mayor Mauricio Domogan, also recognized Midland’s critical stance on how local leaders perform their duties.
“The Baguio Midland Courier was highly critical not only of former mayor Domogan’s administration but that of many others in the region. They bring out the issues and controversies in every policy, program, or project, but they let you answer questions and will never stop until they are satisfied,” he said in a tribute posted on the paper’s Facebook account.
“I am grateful I have known and worked with the (staff members). Their ears were never closed to explanations; their lines were always open for discussion. I am also grateful to the (marketing staff) who were ever accommodating to my ads and obits reservations and to the publisher who was supportive of me when I ran for public office.”
“With the announcement of the Baguio Midland Courier that it is ceasing operations effective July 22, indeed, Sundays won’t be the same. We will miss this weekly paper that even if you hate it, you still have to get your copy because it is essential on a Sunday,” Mangusan said.
The Benguet Electric Cooperative, an institution that did not escape Midland’s scrutiny, also expressed gratitude to the publication.
While remaining critical of how the electric cooperative is run, Midland’s efforts at providing Beneco an equal opportunity to share its accomplishments and enlighten member-consumers did not go unnoticed.
Beneco Institutional Services Manager Delmar Cariño, who is in charge of media-related inquiries, said Midland has provided a respectable platform for those in the business of electric distribution to inform, educate, and empower member consumer owners (MCOs).
“The electric cooperative cannot deny that it owes Midland a lot, from fair coverage to unselfish news spaces. Through the paper, the cooperative was able to explain what the unbundled rates mean and why MCOs should pay their share capital, among others. One less publication meant one less medium for Beneco to circulate among its consumers,” Cariño said, also in a tribute that was shared online.
“The cooperative also feels indebted to Midland’s publication of the weekly schedule for power interruption free of charge. The void Midland will create once it leaves the scene will surely make the community here no longer be the same.”
The Baguio Midland Courier under the Hamada Printers and Publishers Corp. will cease its operations on July 22.