Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Dads mediate in 'warring' Panagbenga groups By Rimaliza Opiña
TO PUT an end to the impasse brought about by one group complaining about the lack of transparency of the guidelines for the use of Session Road and the conflicting venues for the Mindanao bazaar, some city councilors decided to act as go-betweens to settle the issue.
Councilors Edilberto Tenefrancia and Perlita Chan-Rondez agreed to mediate between the Session Road Business Association (SRBA) and the Hotels and Restaurant Association of Baguio (Hrab), while Councilors Daniel Fariñas, Erdolfo Balajadia and Elmer Datuin would be for the Muslim traders and the Baguio soroptimists.
Results of the negotiation of both groups would be discussed with acting Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. in a joint executive-legislative meeting next week, where they would also discuss the conflicting venues for the Mindanao bazaar, which they approved, and the site as set by Administrative Order (AO) 6-2007.
Rondez, meanwhile, advised Sizzling Plate owner and SRBA officer Edna Anton to refrain from issuing statements to the media to avoid "escalating" the matter.
The SRBA again trooped to the City Council on Tuesday to ask permission that they be allowed to use their frontages and to report that the Hrab refuses to meet with them.
Imam Bedejim Abdulah, representative for the Muslim community here, was also present during the City Council's session and also complained that they were left out and were given the runaround in the selection of venues for the Mindanao bazaar.
"We did not initiate the bazaar. Now we are confused on the rules set by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI) and the administrative order," Abdulah said, as he explained that their acceding to the conduct of a Mindanao bazaar was merely in response to the challenge of BFFFI chairman Damaso Bangaoet Jr., who said the Muslim community should also showcase their unique goods other than pirated optical media products.
The City Council allowed the conduct of the bazaar at the vacant lot adjacent to the orchidarium and the biking area but Abdulah said participants do not favor the location because it is not economically viable since there are other vendors in the area and the points of entry and exit are limited.
It also suggested the Athletic Bowl as alternative venue but Abdulah said prospective participants are also opposed to this. He said the areas seen where they are expected to gain include that of the Abad Santos drive across the Solibao Restaurant, Melvin Jones and Abanao Street, covering the Abanao Square to the Empire cinema.
However, Tenefrancia said the Abad Santos drive remains covered by a Supreme Court (SC) preliminary injunction while there is another group, the soroptomists, who were already granted a permit to use the area.
These issues, along with the complaint of the SRBA, would hopefully be decided with Bautista in Wednesday's joint meeting.
