Christmas bazaar gets TRO

A REGIONAL trial court is set to hear a preliminary injunction today following its issuance of a temporary restraining order for seven days for the holding a Christmas bazaar at the Melvin Jones football Grounds.

The TRO which was filed November 28 remains in effect for seven days after the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved the request of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio to hold a Christmas bazaar from December 1 to January 1, 2017 which aims to raise funds for the visit of the Miss Universe candidate next year.

Filed by businesswoman Elena Lao, the petitioner said the holding of the activity at the Melvin Jones Grandstand is in violation of Section 2 of City Ordinance No. 13 series of 2012 which amended the Trade Fair Ordinance of 1994.

Under Section 2, it states trades fairs should be conducted for a period not exceeding 15 days in suitable private areas only.

The petitioner added the trade fair will also deprive residents of the city and tourists of the most accessible and affordable amusement facility and if not enjoined, the activity will cause irreparable injury.

Lao in her petition added Burnham Park is a public place and cannot be used for the benefit of a private entity such as HRAB.

However, HRAB argued the petitioner has no standing to file the case even as a taxpayer because no public fund will be disbursed to be used in the event and nobody will benefit from the activity, hence it is not covered by the city ordinance.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan meanwhile in his weekly Ugnayang Panlungsod reiterated the bazaar is a city led activity meant to augment the fund needed for the upcoming Miss Universe.

“It is true na yung nag request is HRAB but the city is co –sponsor as the city’s contribution to raise the necessary funds for us to be included as one of the few provinces and cities that will host the 2017 Miss Universe,” Domogan reiterated.

The mayor said the opportunity to host Miss Universe only comes once in a lifetime and hopes the court will be enlightened on the issue.

Earlier, Andrew Pinero, media officer of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB), said bulk of the expenditures of the local organizers is the $500,000 or P25 million cash to be paid in four tranches to the Miss Universe organizers apart from the 12 percent value added tax (VAT), and two percent income tax among others.

Pinero revealed local organizers in the city will also take charge of the food and accommodation of the beauty contestants, the round trip chartered flights from Manila to Baguio and vice versa and the putting up of four flower-decorated floats which will be used by the Miss Universe contestants and reigning Miss Universe titlist Pia Wurtsbach of the Philippines during the mini-float and street dancing parade initially scheduled from the Panagbenga Park up to the Baguio Country Club premises via South Drive.

HRAB already initially paid to the Miss Universe organizers the amount of P7 million which forms part of the fees to be paid to the international organizers.

Pinero added the remaining balance of the P25 million fee to be paid to the Miss Universe organizers will be paid in December while the two tranches will be paid before their scheduled visit to the city on January 18, 2016.

The HRAB official added the once in a lifetime visit of the Miss Universe contestants to the city will surely be treasured by the local residents and visitors, thus, the need for them to support the initiatives of the organizers to raise sufficient funds for the purpose such as the conduct of the Christmas bazaar within the 2-hectare Melvin Jones grandstand.

Pinero emphasized whatever funds will be generated from the conduct of the month-long trade fair will all be used to defray the expenses of the local organizers during the one-day visit of the Mss Universe contestants to the city, citing that among the events lined up for the whole day event include the mini-float and streetdancing parade, mini-golf tournament, strawberry picking and tree planting and fashion show featuring Cordillera-inspired attires for the promotion of the products of well-known local weavers among others.

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