Mayor welcomes talk with group
AS THE city celebrates its 109th charter with culture and creativity, Mayor Mauricio Domogan says advocates for heritage are welcome to dialog with him.
In the midst of opposition to proposed projects in Burnham Park, Domogan said no one has formally dialoged with him but is always willing to listen to groups who feel strongly on city issues.
The Charter Day celebration focuses on culture of creativity in cognizance of the City’s designation as a Creative City in the field of Crafts and Folk Art by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) themed “Celebrating and Moving beyond 109 through Culture of Creativity.”
“We are not behind in culture, although
we have a lot to do to improve,” Domogan said.
The chief executive said each of the tribes are represented in the city and described the highland town as a blend of cultures.
“We should ask ourselves now, how we can help to improve.”
Domogan acknowledged conflicting views on how to preserve heritage and clarified clear cut guidelines must be made on how to do this.
“I am not opposed to the declarations for Burnham Park and Kennon road,” the mayor added.
Domogan said simple clarifications on the effect of the declaration as well as terms and conditions is being sought to be able to comply and adjust.
Weeks ago, Baguio Representative Mark Go filed a Bill seeking the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) declaration of Burnham Park as a National Heritage Park which has gotten backing from Department of Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.
Domogan wants to know what improvements and development is allowed to be done with National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and NHCP and is pushing to form a committee comprised of stakeholders to oversee development of the area.
The city’s chief executive stresses a healthy dialog is needed to hurdle the debates on how to preserve areas in the city and said discourse is part of the job as chief executive.