AN INDIGENOUS trade fair has been allowed to operate while a market livelihood project hangs.
Some 70 tents for the trade fair were allowed by Baguio City officials as part of the Onjon ti Ibaloy celebration at the Ibaloy Heritage Garden at Burnham Park from March 22 to April 22, 2019.
Onjon ti Ibaloy president Franklin Cocoy with adviser, Steve Cating, explained to the city council last week stalls will only be allowed to sell food and dry good products from the region and apologized for the selling of underwear and ready to wear clothes by some.
Cocoy said the stall owners were told to change products to indigenous wares or move out of the event.
The event has been awarded by the group to organizer Cicerio Germino, tasked to set up the trade fair, concert, cultural activities, and the search for Ms. Ibaloy as well as landscaping components of the month long festival for the group in a profit sharing scheme.
City councilors, after scrutinizing the deal between the Onjon and Germino allowed the conduct of the trade fair with the assurance that products will be reflective to art, culture and heritage of the city and the region.
City permits and fees have been pledged amounting to almost P300,000 with improvement to landscaping, access roads and bathrooms on site, included in the deal.
A restoration fee has also been imposed to the organizers for any damage to the park site after the event.
The Baguio City Trade Fair Ordinance specifically regulates trade fairs in the City of Baguio by allowing the conduct of trade fairs for a “period of not exceeding 15 days in suitable private places only and to totally disallow the conduct of trade fairs and other similar activities in all city-owned or city managed public parks, including government owned and controlled properties and facilities.”
Meanwhile, AZCO barangay chief, Jefferson Cheng faced the city council asking for permission to use parts of Abanao and Kayang roads for a trade fair featuring products of women’s groups.
Cheng said the trade fair aims to help women in his barangay to augment livelihood through selling of homemade products for a month.
Parts of the sidewalk at Abanao and Kayang were sought which met opposition from the council who argued the two areas is part of national road.
Councilor Joel Alangsab said the move Cheng would serve as a precedent to other areas wanting to sell their wares using the excuse of the setup of a trade fair for funding, adding both areas are considered busy roads and would obstruct foot traffic for pedestrians.
According to Cheng, there are close to 80 women who will participate in the trade fair if allowed and will be dubbed as “livelihood stalls.”
Councilor Maylen Yaranon reminded Cheng, a clearance from the Baguio City Police Office is needed for the event to certify the areas can be used as a selling space.
The impasses and the lack of coordination with the police and the Department of Public Works and Highways pushed the city council to defer approval of the request and ask Cheng to get needed certifications.