LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Members of the Municipal Council of La Trinidad in Benguet are one in awaiting the amends from Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong following his remark on strawberries.
Magalong earlier insinuated the source of water utilized in strawberry farms come from Balili River.
Mayor Romeo Salda added Magalong apologized to him in a text message last Friday, January 10 saying “Good afternoon, manong Romy, my apologies if you felt slighted with my pronouncement regarding Balili River and strawberry farm. I believe it was uncalled for. I will make amends.”
Magalong made the statement during a meeting last week at the Mansion with Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernaddete Romulo-Puyat, Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año and Environment Assistant Secretary Jesus Enrico Moises Salaza representing Sec. Roy Cimatu, with La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay officials in attendance regarding the rehabilitation of Baguio.
Also present are representatives of different government agencies together with members of the national and local media.
Vice-Mayor Roderick Awingan added it would be better for the city mayor to amend what he said.
“The water supplying strawberry farm doesn’t directly come from Balili River rather water sources from barangay Pico and Puguis.”
Awingan added the statement of the city mayor draw mixed reactions from the members of La Trinidad municipal councilors.
“We have big respect for Mayor Magalong but at the same time he was misinformed. There were people who were hurt. They (Sangguniang Bayan) are one that this issue should be cleared as it affects the entire municipality,” Awingan said.
La Trinidad considers strawberry its one town, one product generating millions of pesos from the average annual harvest aside from other products derive from strawberries.