City officials approved the use of the Melvin Jones football field on April 2-16, 2023 by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) for the International Food Expo subject to conditions.
Under Resolution No. 185, series of 2023, local legislators stated that among the conditions imposed for the said activity is for the association to pay the rental or use of area fees for the duration of the event; the HRAB shall provide garbage bags, receptacles to ensure proper solid waste and waste water management throughout the duration of the activity; the association shall provide security personnel to ensure safety and security within the area; the HRAB shall rehabilitate the grass cover of Melvin Jones football field immediately affecter the activity and that the HRAB shall comply with the requirements needed in securing special permits for the concessionaires.
Further, the council stipulated that the approval is without prejudice to the possible use of Melvin Jones football field as a relocation site for the displaced market vendors of Blocks 3 and 4 of the city public market who were affected by the 5-hour fire last March 11-12, 2023.
Earlier, the Committee on Market, Trade, Commerce and Agriculture, in its 2nd indorsement dated March 14, 2023, recommended approval of the request of HRAB for the use of the Melvin Jones football field for the International Food Expo on April 2-16, 2023 subject to the imposed conditions of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO).
Earlier, HRAB president Anthony de Leon wrote the city council requesting the approval of the use of the Melvin Jones football field on the aforesaid dates for the International Food Expo which is aimed at establishing and promoting the city as the culinary destination of the country; financially assist yearly 10 students taking hotel, restaurant and tourism courses by sponsoring their one year tuition fees; financially assist yearly 5 professors of hotel, restaurant and tourism courses by sponsoring them to attend higher education classes in accredited culinary schools in Manila and help fund the annual holding of HRAB’s Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Weekend, a hospitality and tourism competition among students and professionals in the hospitality and tourism industry, an avenue for learning and development.
The Expo will not only provide exposure to local, regional, national and international menus but will likewise provide opportunities for students and professionals and businessmen to discover the latest trends in the food and beverage industry’s operating furniture, fixtures and equipment.
CEPMO head lawyer Rhenan Diwas, in his letter dated March 10, 2023, interposed no objection to the aforesaid request on the use of Melvin Jones football field on the said dates for the International Food Expo, provided that the association, shall pay the rental or use of area fees, provide garbage bags or receptacles, provide security personnel and rehabilitate the grass cover of the ground immediately after the activity.
