BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance declaring Baguio City as Honeymooner’s Haven, supporting its establishment as wedding destination of the north, providing incentives and for other purposes.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated all hotels will be required to prepare a honeymooner’s wedding package to those who decide to be wed in the city and avail of their hotel facilities or services.
Under the proposed ordinance, hotel owners and operators who are supportive of the program shall receive a 10 percent exemption from payment of business taxes of the gross sales or receipts for its honeymoon package hosted.
The ordinance tasked the City Treasury Office, in coordination with the Baguio Tourism Council, to monitor and implement the guidelines necessary for the successful implementation of the measure.
Yangot argued Baguio City is famous not only as a premier tourist destination but also the honeymooner’s haven north of the country and the said title can be attributed to its natural cool climate where air conditioning is round the clock and the air is filled with the fresh scent of pine.
He added the city’s declaration as a honeymooner’s haven is enhanced by the beautiful hotels and gardens perfect for a dream wedding at reasonable and minimum cost.
According to him, it is but appropriate and fitting to formally declare Baguio City as Honeymooner’s Haven as well as support its establishment as the wedding destination of the north with the adoption of the measure that is seen as one of the major drivers of the local economy.
The ordinance stipulated many couples from different parts of the world opt to hold important events in their lives in Baguio City because of its cool and unique climate that is why there is always a significant number of visitors who flock to the city during weekends and holidays because its good weather is a natural pull for people to frequent the city.
For the past several years, a good number of beautiful hotels started to be built in strategic areas around the city and used venues for gatherings and special occasions of groups who prefer holding their important occasions in the city.
In the early 1900s, the American colonizers discovered Kafagway as a suitable rest and recreation area for top government and military officials during summer and renamed it Baguio City in 1903, and transferring colonial government functions to the new city, earning its name Summer Capital.
The local legislative body decided to refer the proposed ordinance to a committee for the required deliberations and public consultations for further actions.
By Dexter A. See
Banner photo by: JOSEPH B. MANZANO,
