The city council has approved Ordinance 104, s. 2023 or the “Daniel Burnham Day” intended to celebrate his birth anniversary on Sept. 4, 1846, in Henderson, New York, U.S.A.
A renowned American architect and urban designer, Burnham left an indelible mark in the landscape of Baguio through his unique design and plan for the city aligned with his vision as the Summer Capital of the Philippines.
The ordinance tasked the City Buildings and Architecture Office, the City Planning and Development Office, and the City Environment and Parks Management Office, in cooperation with the United Architects of the Philippines-Baguio Chapter, to come up with programs and activities to celebrate the event.
The city council also approved Ordinance 105, s. 2023 declaring the second week of December of every year as “Architecture Week.”
The ordinance cites Proclamation 934 s. 1971, which recognizes the contributions of architects to the systematic development of urban centers, parks, cultural and art centers, as well as modern trends in construction towards planned urban growth, environmental planning, and overall social progress.
The ordinance also encourages local architects to bring out their creativity and innovation and acknowledges that the beauty and functionality they create can enhance the lives of those who live and work in the spaces they designed.
“The appealing arts and crafts of architects and their sound community plans and designs for the stability and safety of both public and private infrastructures are invaluable contributions the city government of Baguio highly appreciates and recognizes,” the ordinance states.
In its previous session, the city council approved Ordinance 97, s. 2023 for the strengthening of existing satellite markets and the establishment of additional district satellite markets in the city.
The ordinance states that many satellite markets in the city are not yet officially included or recorded as part of the city’s public market as provided in the Baguio City Market Code for their proper maintenance, management, and operation and to ensure sustenance and continuity of their operations.
P5 million was allocated from the general fund for the implementation of the program.
The City Planning and Development Office was tasked to identify areas where additional satellite markets may be established and the City Buildings and Architecture Office to prepare a uniform design of satellite markets.
The city council approved Resolution 763, s. 2023 declaring Baguio as an “Inclusive Human Rights City” wherein no discrimination on sex, gender, age, race, political belief, religion, and that all people must fully enjoy their right to free expression, safe spaces, and holistic development.
The resolution supports the 75th year of the signing in Dec. 10 of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”of which the Republic of the Philippines is a signatory and Resolution 408, s. 2017, which sets Dec. 10 of each year as “International Human Rights Day in Baguio,” and expresses support to the event’s yearly activities.
In the resolution, the city government of Baguio has been consistent in its efforts to uphold, promote, and protect the rights of all its citizens through legislation, and programs such as the “Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, the “Baguio City Youth Code of 2023”, Resolution 155, s. 2023 supporting the passage of the “Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill”, and the setting up of the “Baguio Human Rights Action Center”, among others.
The resolution stressed the need for the city government to push, encourage, and engage in programs and initiatives for continued reassurance that every citizen exercising their democratic rights is safe in the city as there are active civil society and human rights communities in the city willing to collaborate in pursuing human rights education and advocacy aligned with the city’s vision.
The resolution also requested bigger avenues for active citizenship and involvement for the full exercise of democracy and civil liberties, including, but not limited to, declaring Malcolm Square as a “People’s Park” and a venue for festivities, socio-political activities, and delivery of services.
It further called the city government to be guided by human rights principles in its policies, legislations, and programs and to review policies and programs that may, in any way, hamper human rights.
May 4, 2024
