Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong recently issued Executive Order No. 175, series of 2020, that declared November 2020 to January 2021 as Christmas in Baguio 2020 and setting for the guidelines for the same.
He stated that the Christmas in Baguio opening program on December 1, 2020 will be a community based activity to be implemented on a low-key approach with elements of the program broadcasted and viewed within the comfort of the homes of the residents.
The program shall include performances from a number of local artists, particularly cultural performers, winners of the song writing competition and local bands, and the Christmas messages of the city’s leaders imparting hope and inspiring unity and cooperation and community in hurdling the pandemic impacts.
Similarly, the Christmas in Baguio New Year countdown on December 31, 2020 will also be a community-based activity will be celebrated on a similar note at the Melvin Jones grandstand.
The program will be similar to the activities lined up by the city for the opening program on December 1, 2020.
The mayor directed all concerned government agencies and city departments to extend support to the aforesaid endeavor to ensure the success of the limited events for the Yuletide season.
The Office for Administration–City Tourism and Special Events Office shall be the overall coordinator for city level offices, groups and individuals.
Further, the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) is designated to provide the Session road rotunda and flower boxes found at the main thoroughfares and adjoining areas as venues for said endeavor, extending all support, especially, but not limited, to the landscaping and beautification of the aforesaid sites.
The city chief executive also ordered the City General Services Office to provide the sound system for Malcolm Square, particularly on December 1, 2020, and chairs and other instruments for the activities that will be conducted along Session road on the same date.
Magalong instructed the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) to devise and implement an operation plan for security, traffic management, among others, aside from providing round-the-clock security for the areas where the events will be conducted.
The Baguio Fire Department shall maintain a standby fire engine and personnel at the Rose Garden; the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) and the City Engineering office shall take charge in the physical arrangement during the activities requiring such support; the Cordillera office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-CAR) and district engineering office and CBAO shall allow the organizers to post, free of charge, advertising materials in the main thoroughfares of the city and adjoining highways leading to the city subject to coordination with other concerned local governments; the Public Information Office of the City Mayor’s Office shall cause the widest dissemination of the Christmas in Baguio 2020 activities and ancillaries, particularly through social media and other live streaming sites to impart the program’s message to the community in the comfort of their homes and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (CDRRMC) and the Baguio City Emergency Management Services shall provide standby medical and rescue services in the venues.
He urged the business and private sectors to extend all cordialities for the success of the celebration of Christmas in Baguio 2020. By Dexter A. See
