BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposal known as the Baguio’s Got Talent cash incentives and awards ordinance.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Michael L. Lawana stated that Baguio-based talents winning in international events regardless of the number of participating countries shall be entitled to P10,000 for champions or gold medallists, P5,000 for placing first runners-up or bagging silver medals and P3,000 for those lacing second runners-up or bagging bronze medals while Baguio-based talents winning in national events will be entitled to P5,000 for winning as champion and bagging gold medals, P3,000 for placing first runner-up or bagging silver medals and P2,000 for those placing second runner-up or bagging bronze medals.
The ordinance added the funds that will sustain the implementation of the local legislative measure shall be allocated annually as part of the budget for the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
The ordinance stipulated that the CSWDO shall adopt simple procedures and guidelines for the immediate release of the prescribed cash incentives pursuant to existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Further, the cash incentives shall be given to the winners upon the presentation of the necessary documents and proof with the claim for the cash incentive from the local government.
Last year, Baguio city became a part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Creative Cities Network, which includes around 180 members from around 60 and the first in the country.
The ordinance noted that the city is gifted with different talents from all ages showcased in different television programs and events being conducted in the different parts of the country’s undisputed Summer Capital.
Previously, Baguio City was able to produce excellent talents who triumphantly competed in the different national or international shows that placed the city in the limelight. Among the few local talents that emerged victorious in their competitions include the Baguio Metamorphosis in dancing, Ingrid Payaket on singing, Powerful Corn, which all came from the Pilipinas Got Talent show.
The ordinance claimed the talented individuals gave prestige to the city and should be provided with available cash incentives from the local government as they represented the city in prestigious national and international competitions where they able to show their class in their respective fields.
Under the pertinent provisions of the ordinance, a Baguio-based talent is an individual who, by himself or as a member of a group or groups who actively participates in any television show, reality competition or program or competitions organized and moderated by government agencies, or private organizations and associations showcasing his or her talent in music, signing, dancing, acting or other skills such as, but not limited and related to, computer, fine arts, language arts, math, problem-solving, science, social science, mental challenges testing their knowledge of math, spelling, geography, memory, the human body, vocabulary, current events, zoology, astronomy and space, inventions, literature and the arts, art, science and logic.
By Dexter A. See
