BAGUIO CITY – The city government created the Council for Baguio Creative City to spearhead the development and implementation of strategic plans and programs on crafts and folk arts pursuant to its commitment with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong issued Executive Order No. 161, series of 2019, which states that the council will be designated as the city government’s primary private sector partner in accomplishing the prescribed goals for the crafts and folk-art sectors of the creative industry.
The council will be tasked to review existing plans and recommend those eligible for implementation; propose new programs and projects that will provide greater momentum to the overall plan mandated to implement the city’s commitment as a Creative Cities Network member; provide strategic directions in growing the city creative economy focusing on the crafts and folk arts sectors; provide collegial advise and recommendations for a greater collaborative efforts between and among government and private sector representatives; encourage and incentivize the crafts and folk arts sector in obtaining business registration and acquire cooperative formation assistance in cooperation with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other government agencies; provide technical evaluation and analysis on project proposals in line with the creative city stats of Baguio; serve as lead partner of the city government in managing the annual Baguio Creative Festival and render a semestral report to the city government and other summary submissions to the executive and legislative departments.
The council will be chaired by Ms. Adelaida Lim representing the weavers’ sector and to be co-chaired by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong. Chancellor Raymundo Rovillos of the University of the Philippines–Baguio will serve as vice chairperson while Ferdinand Balanag representing folk arts and culture will serve as the action officer and head of the secretariat.
Josefino Balatero was designated to be the council’s communications officer while the members will include Councilor Elaine D. Sembrano, City Tourism Operations Officer Engr. Aloysius Mapalo, Arch. Dona Tabangin representing academe, Mr. Rommel Marcelo representing metal crafts, Santos Bayucca representing woodcrafts, Carlo Altamonte representing theater arts, and DTI-CAR regional director Myrna Pablo.
The council’s panel of advisers include Atty. Richard Dayag – legal, Atty. Leticia O. Clemente – finance, Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda – SP Committee on Laws, National Artist Kidlat Tahimik and National Artist Benedicto Cabrera – arts.
The order stipulates that the staffing needs of the council will be provided under existing human resource regulations and that the council will hold office at any available space in city hall or in any vacant space in other city-owned properties subject to the enactment of the required city legislative measures.
On the other hand, the order cited that operational needs will be provided through regular procurement procedures subject to established accounting and auditing regulations and other limitations provided for by law.
By Dexter A. See