Yangot slams festival organizers
COUNCILOR Leandro Yangot bemoans organizers of the Baguio Flower Festival have yet to coordinate or include him in any meeting for Session Road in Bloom (SRB).
Yangot during this week’s regular session said as co chairman of the Session Road in Bloom he has previously asked for meetings with his counterparts in the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Incorporated [BFFI] but was ignored.
“[I was told] They were either out of town or were busy, they never met with me.”
Yangot said he would have asked to give more space for pedestrians during the SRB and a re- design of stalls to be used, but his ideas were never heard.
A request for the lay-
out of stalls for the weeklong event has also never been given the council, despite requests made by Yangot.
The alderman said his sentiments ring true for other members of the August body who were appointed positions in the management of this year’s festival but were never consulted nor asked to join meetings.
In a statement, Andrew Pinero of the BFFI said the incident was caused by “That is because we were also not included in their plans of taking over most of session road. It seems they have already made plans prior to Panagbenga.”
In a previous move by the Liga ng mga Barangay as approved by BFFI chairman Mayor Mauricio Domogan, the group of 128 barangays asked to handle more areas for the SRB expanding the Assumption and Per- fecto streets they annually handle to include; Calderon, portions of Lower Session Road from Mabini / Session Road Intersection downwards plus portions of Governor Pack and the Post Office Loop.
Liga president and Councilor Michael Lawana is in charge of the administration, management and supervision of the areas with revenue generated to be used in the Clean and Green and Peace and Order programs of the organization.
Pinero continued “In fact Liga and PCL have their own areas to manage. We have always been cooperative in terms of coordination, but the recent on goings in Baguio Blooms and their plans for Session Road in Bloom was never informed to us until the last minute that we cannot do anything about it anymore.” Pinero said “As for Session Road in Bloom, we will manage what was left of what Liga and PCL has taken but they must refrain from their plans of occupying post office sidewalk because that space is part of our area which is from SM Rotonda to PNB.”
Yangot said “This is a clear signal that we should take decisive action.”
Domogan has since appointed Councilor Elmer Datuin as Baguio Flower Festival chairman, taking the reins of the executive committee which runs the annual festival backing the decision to have government actively participate to quell fears from the public as well as to conform to the COA.
Yangot has also been included as a member of the executive committee with Freddie Alquiros as co-chairman and members Anthony de Leon, Councilors Michael Lee Lawana, Peter Fianza, Dr. Federico Martin, Philippine Information Agency regional director Helen Tibaldo, Department of Tourism Director Venus Tan, The Manor general manager, Ramon Cabrera, city hall officials and private citizens, Evangeline Payno, Renato Rondez, Leticia Clemente, Carlos Canilao, Moises Cating and engineer Edgar Victorio Olpindo.
Datuin said he is aware of the sentiments of his colleagues in the council and cannot blame them for their frustration.
The BFFI executive chairman said all inputs will be put in the post evaluation and assured a post audit will be given the August body.