Mayor downs Maharlika bar extension

City Mayor Mauricio Domogan thumbed down the request of bar owners at the Maharlika compound to extend operations.

Domogan said he has decided on the matter and is awaiting for the City Council’s move on the issue.

The chief executive said he supports the idea of the area is to be used as a creative city center.

Last week, the City Council through Councilor Olowan is mulling the request for extension for Maharlika Bars and Videoke stalls.

Councilor Mylen Yaranon however said the area is eyed to be a creative center for the sale and display of local products gunning for the closure of bars and videoke stalls.

Yaranon asserted the city has a four-year period to put into order crafts and folk arts to stay true to the creative city tag given by Unesco.

Unesco declared Baguio as the first creative city in the Philippines which is now among the 64 cities from 44 countries which is part of the

Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

Baguio’s inclusion to the UCCN mandates a responsibility to implement activities directly in line with the network’s mission statement and strategic framework by providing financial support, coordination with a steering group and liaising with the UNESCO secretariat and to communicate regularly.

The city was included in the CCN network for crafts and folk arts of the Cordilleras seen in architecture, parks, textile, fabrics, furniture, and furnishing fashion accessories, paintings, sculpture, homes and building designs in the City.

Under Unesco, all creative cities commit to develop and exchange innovative best practices to promote creative industries, strengthen participation in cultural life, and integrate culture into sustainable urban development policies.

Under the plan, an urban development initiative is also needed to further develop the Baguio Creative Circuit (BCCC) that is seen to physically link existing buildings and institutions as venues for showcasing Baguio City’s creative spirit.

Areas will be opened to the public and each shall highlight creative activities and purposes that will serve to educate, inspire, and motivate the public to embrace creativity as an essential element for sustainable urban living.

Previously, the council decided to close the bars with Domogan giving owners an extension up to December 2018.

Olowan, who heads the committee on laws, human rights and justice, backed the request of stall owners citing humanitarian reasons adding they have been occupying the spaces for a long time now and have complied with peace and order concerns by hiring security to man the area.

Olowan said there will be roughly 100 establishments to be affected in the area located at the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th floors of the Maharlika building.