Terms set for carnival operation

Sunday, February 19, 2012

THE Baguio City Government warned operators of a carnival at Melvin Jones football grounds to comply with conditions set by the local government before starting with their operations.

Carnival operators Susan Trinidad and Macky Magpili started installing their rides at the football grounds last Monday after the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) board received a request for an entertainment activity in the form of a carnival.

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Trinidad and Magpili said it will take their employees seven days to complete the installation of the rides.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said, however, that the operators should comply with the requirements before they could operate. Among the requirements are a detailed list of entertainment activities, an engineer’s rides safety report, payment of the area rental fees and a restoration bond for any damage in the football grounds.

Domogan said these requirements should be met.

He said they approved the carnival operation after suggestions this will be located at the vacant lot near PFVR gym and Quezon Elementary School.

Trinidad and Magpili requested, however, the use of Melvin Jones instead, saying their operations resulted in losses after being placed at the PFVR grounds previously since they are far from the Panagbenga revelers.

The mayor said the BFFFI board approved the proposal as majority of the City Council members signed a letter agreeable to the carnival, considering there are still ongoing city budget deliberations making inclusion of the carnival’s proposal in the session agenda soon improbable.

Sun.Star learned that not all councilors signed the endorsement of the carnival.

Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda said she was approached by a lady from Blue Screen Productions who sought for a signature on a proposed resolution for the establishment and installation of a carnival at the Melvin Jones area of Burnham Park.

Tabanda said she could not favor the establishment of another carnival at Burnham Park as the council previously denied several carnival proposals in the past.

She was, however, surprised a proposed resolution was already signed by at least nine members of the council.

Members of the Baguio Flower Festival Executive Committee led by its chairman Anthony de Leon also denied approving the carnival as it exists without a Memorandum of Agreement with the BFFFI.

In last Monday’s executive-legislative meeting, the mayor said City Environment and Parks Management Office head Cordelia Lacsamana said the carnival operators should submit their detailed list of activities and ensure no gambling activities will occur at the carnival.

City Treasurer Thelma Manaois did not raise any contention to the suggestion, saying the operators already paid P250,000 to the City Government for the rent of the area and other dues.