The Laoag-based Consulate of China earmarked some P1.8 million for the completion of the Pagoda or viewdeck in the Botanical Garden as part of the contribution of the city’s Filipino-Chinese community to the attractions within the Botanical Garden.
Peter Ng, chairman of the Executive Committee of the 2020 Spring Festival celebration in the city, said the aforesaid amount was already downloaded to the city government and the project will be subject to the usual government bidding procedures prior for its implementation.
He added that completion of the viewdeck is part of the commitment of the Laoag-based Consulate of China to the city government to help boost the scenery in one of the city’s premier tourist destinations and that the first phases of the project were completed during the term of former Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan.
Earlier, more than P4 million was spent by the Consulate of China for the implementation of the 3-phased viewdeck project aside from the continuous development of the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Park within the sister cities part within the Botanical Garden.
Ng disclosed the Baguio Filipino-Chinese Community will continue to work for the improvements of the established Friendship Park to help entice more residents and visitors to consider the Botanical Garden as one of their must-see places in the city.
Previously, the city government identified a portion of the Botanical Garden as its Centennial Park where its international sister cities can showcase their various attractions as part of enhancing the attractions in the park.
According to him, another project being eyed by the Baguio Filipino-Chinese community as their contribution to the city tourism industry is the improvement of the city’s tree nursery which will be discussed among their members to ascertain the extent of their contribution in the improvement of the nursery.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong expressed the city government’s gratitude to the Baguio Filipino-Chinese community for their continuous support to the various programs, projects and activities of the city geared towards its promotion as one of the country’s premier tourist destination aside from their other contributions in all aspects of city governance.
He mentioned the Baguio Filipino-Chinese Community had been supporting the city government responses during emergency situations, including during the occurrence of natural and man-made calamities providing adequate support in the different relief operations in the affected areas of the city.
The Baguio Filipino-Chinese Community is celebrating this year’s Chinese Lunar New Year or Spring Festival with traditional activities, such as the annual gift-giving to indigent residents at the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office building, the Chinese New Year Run for a Cause, the grand Chinese New Year Parade and the Awards Night where outstanding members of the community will be given the appropriate recognition by the organizers.
By Dexter A. See
