The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance institutionalizing the Baguio Got Talent cash incentive award.
Under the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Michael L. Lawana, the Baguio-based talent must be born in the city or in representation of the city by reason of his or her enrollment in a school in the city and has excelled and triumphantly competed in his or her field of expertise, event or competition thereby earning recognition, commendation or honor for the city.
The Baguio-based Got Talent must submit an endorsement letter signed by their respective punong barangay; certified true copy of birth certificate; profile of accomplishments or the event successfully competed with; photo copy of awards or citations and photographs of the event successfully competed with and copy of school registration.
The ordinance stated that the main function of the screening and selection committee is to verify and validate the events and the requirements submitted for screening. The result will be submitted to the City Mayor for approval in the grant of cash incentives.
Further, the screening and selection committee shall be composed of the Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Culture and Historical Research; Chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, Special Events, Parks and Playgrounds; representative from the City Tourism Office and representative from the City Schools Division.
The Baguio-based talent winning in international events regardless of the number of participating countries shall be entitled to P10,000 for winning as champion or winning gold medal; P5,000 for garnering or placing first runner-up or bagging silver medal and P3,000 for garnering second runner-up or bagging bronze medal.
Moreover, the Baguio-based talent winning in national events will be entitled to a cash incentive of P5,000 for winning as champion or bagging gold medal; P3,000 for garnering or placing first runner-up or bagging silver medal and P2,000 for garnering second runner-up and bagging bronze medal.
The ordinance disclosed that funds for the implementation of the measure shall be allocated annually as part of the budget for the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development.
The ordinance emphasized that the talented individuals give prestige to the city and should get the proportionate cash incentives from the local government in recognition of the honor and pride that they are able to bring to the city.
In 2017, Baguio became a part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Creative Cities Network for crafts and folk arts with a membership of 180 from 60 countries which is a first for the country.
The ordinance admitted that the city is gifted with numerous talents from all ages showcased in various television programs and events conducted locally, nationally and internationally.
The ordinance added that the city has produced excellent talents in the past who triumphantly competed in national or international shows placing the city in the limelight and fame and to name a few, the Baguio Metamorphosis in dancing, Ingrid Payaket in singing, Powderpuff Corn in singing acoustic duo, all from the Pilipinas Got Talent show.
