BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan wants the proponent of amusement rides, in coordination with concerned offices of the local government, to identify alternative sites where the proposed conduct of a 3-month carnival operation will be done instead of using a portion of the Melvin Jones football ground for such purpose.
The local chief executive admitted having received the copy of a resolution that emanated from the local legislative body that granted the authority for a Manila-based amusement corporation to operate carnival rides within a portion of the Melvin Jones football ground as part of the Summer Vacation in Baguio City activities that runs for a period of 3 months commencing this March until June.
“We do not object to the proposed operation of carnival rides in the city because it will be an added attraction for our residents and visitors, especially during the summer vacation but it should not be done in Melvin Jones, thus, the need for the proponent and the concerned offices to look for a better venue for the said activity,” Domogan stressed.
Earlier, Linked-in Corporation, a Manila-based amusement corporation, proposed to operate amusement rides in a portion of the Ibaloi Park during the Panagbenga celebration but the local legislative body did not act on the proposal for quite sometime before requesting the proponent to secure the certificate of no objection from the Onjon in Ibaloi which he failed to do.
However, local legislators decided to allow the proponent to pursue his carnival operations in a portion of the Melvin Jones grandstand for a 3-month period commencing anytime this March after the company shall have paid the P500,000 lease rental for the use of the area.
He added that gambling activities such as bingo, among others, will strictly be prohibited once the proponent will be able to locate a suitable place where the amusement rides could be installed to provide additional entertainment in the park during the summer vacation.
Domogan emphasized there will be no carnival operations in Burnham Park until such time that the proponent and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) will be able to pinpoint the acceptable and suitable area for the said purpose to ensure the safety of the individuals patronizing the amusement rides.
The proponent assured local officials that he will try his best to look for a suitable area for the operation of the amusement rides considering that his company just wants to do business in the city and provide added entertainment to the people, especially the children who want to enjoy their summer vacation.
The City Mayor is given a maximum period of 15 days to sign the approved council resolution because after the lapse of the reglamentary period, the resolution will be deemed as approved and operative unless he decides to veto the same and return it to the local legislative body for appropriate action in the future.
He expressed confidence that the proponent and the CEPMO will be able to come to terms in the identification of the area where the carnival operations will be done considering that it will be an added attraction to the city’s premier park during the summer break.
By Dexter A. See
