BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong apologized in behalf of the Baguio Tourism Council (BTC) for glitches in the “An Enchanting Baguio Christmas” at the Rose Garden.
Magalong said the activity at the Rose Garden is experiencing birthing pains as it is the first time that a private group has handled Yuletide celebrations of the city where the BTC took the lead.
The mayor asked forgiveness from the City Council on the regular session Monday, December 9, and asked the legislative body to move forward.
Magalong stands as co–chairman of the BTC with Gladys Vergara and Anthony De Leon standing as chairman and vice chairman, respectively.
Vergara also admitted lapses in serving liquor on the onset, saying the beverage company has been asked to stop serving liquor since.
The BTC chair informed the council that selling of items found in the market has also been stopped, giving a refund to the sponsorship of one chalet for non-compliance to guidelines set by the BTC.
The BTC led event “An Enchanting Baguio Christmas” is a 40-day event with performances and socio-civic activities.
The tourism council also recreated European Christmas fairs at the Rose Garden with “Chalets” set up for the December celebration.
The activity earned the ire of lawmakers for suspicions it has circumvented the trade fair law, which was addressed by saying the event is a city-sanctioned activity.
Another point raised by the council is the selling of liquor which was admitted and apologized for quickly by organizers, the query of aldermen which questioned local products being sold as opposed to earlier pronouncements of European wares was addressed by explaining products from the local suppliers were accommodated to cater to all social brackets.