BAGUIO CITY – The city Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance establishing the Diplomat Hotel, known as the Dominican Heritage Hill and Nature Park, as a Museum and venue for Visual and Performing Arts, creating an ad hoc committee to formulate the implementing rules and regulations governing its operations and appropriating P3 million for its implementation.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Lilia A. Fariñas stated the City Environment and Parks Management Office will be tasked to be the lead agency in the implementation and regulation of the activities within the said city-owned property and shall outline the implementing rules and regulations for its operation, along with the ad hoc committee that will be created, with the approval of the City Council and to perform such other duties as may be required.
Under the proposed ordinance, the City Environment and Parks Management office as museum curator and lead agency shall determine the possible areas of Diplomat Hotel, its spaces such as walls, halls, its lobby, and other functional areas which can be utilized for the exhibit of visual arts such as paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and other works of art, and other such areas that could be dedicated for performing arts such as music and other types of art; coordinate with the security personnel in charge of the Diplomat Hotel premises and ensuring the protection of the area, and in safeguarding art pieces in display from theft and vandalism; provide for protective enclosures or cordons as may be necessary for the safety and security of the art pieces from the public who might be tempted to touch them and thereby taint the works of art; provide additional close circuit television (CCTV) cameras or additional security personnel as may be needed; entertain, accept or reject prospective exhibitors for the display of their works, subject to the qualifications of their art, in accordance to the implementing rules and regulations and determine the prices with regard to the use of the area, in part or in whole, the sharing scheme between the local government and the art exhibitor, duration of the art exhibit, and all other pertinent activities with regard to its function as a museum and venue for visual and performing arts.
The ordinance stipulated the amount of P3 million will be appropriated for the purpose of the establishment of the Museum and venue for visual and Performing Arts and the same shall be utilized by the CEPMO, or as may be approved by the ad hoc committee and the City Council and for other purposes as may be required.
Fariñas explained Baguio city has been a haven for visual and performing artists and home to both world-renowned and nationally awarded artists such as Benjamin Cabrera alias BenCab, Jordan Mang-osan, and Eric de Guia and that it is also the venue of choice for the conduct of the Baguio International Arts Festival initiated by the Baguio Arts Guild and other similar groups such as the Tam-awan village Artists considering that it is very strategic being the Summer Capital of the Philippines., the melting pot of cultures both from the highlands and the lowlands where their talents and skills are showcased, the center of education of the north and can undoubtedly be might as well dubbed as a capital for the arts.
By Dexter A. See
