BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan is not in favour to the operation of a controversial carnival and amusement rides in the same portion where it operated in the children’s playground last summer, saying that the operation of amusement rides in the city’s premier park is longer feasible.
The local chief executive said that he will not sign the resolution passed by the local legislative body on December 27, 2018 authorizing the operation of the Ola carnival and amusement rides in the children’s playground because of the numerous complaints that were brought to his attention on the unsafe rides and the alleged bad condition of the facilities of the carnival operator.
Earlier, the local government approved a resolution authorizing the operation of the Ola amusement rides for a 5-month period starting next month after the local legislators approved the P2.179 billion proposed 2019 budget of the local government during a special session last December 27, 2018.
“We do not want to encounter the same problems that were experienced by the city when we allowed the operation of the carnival and amusement rides last summer. We are not in favour of the resumption of the operation of the controversial amusement rides that is why we will just make do with what the park can offer to the public,” Domogan stressed.
The operation of the carnival was confronted with various controversies specifically the safety of the amusement rides and the damage inflicted by its operations to portions of the children’s playground which remain unrestored to date.
Personnel of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) confirmed that the controversial carnival operator was able to restore the damaged pavement within its area of operation but it was not able to restore the damaged grounds on the back portion of the children’s playground.
Under the proposed terms of the operation of the amusement rides and carnival, the operator will pay to the local government the amount of P500,000 for its 5-month operation that is expected to commence by the first week of February after he will be able to comply with the requirements that will be imposed by the local government.
Domogan claimed that the local government had always at the receiving end of criticisms on the grant of the authority to the controversial carnival operator to operate the alleged unsafe amusement rides that is why it is best to put a stop on such amusement operations and allow the rejuvenation of the park.
He claimed that the lease rentals that the carnival operator intends to pay to the local government is not sufficient to compensate for whatever damages that will be inflicted to the state of the park once it will be damaged due to the influx of residents and visitors wanting to patronize the available amusement rides.
He said that he will return the approved resolution to the local legislative body without his signature stating among others his objection to the operation of the carnival and amusement rides in the area so that those local legislators who approved the same might reconsider their position on the matter.
By Dexter A. See
