STREET performers will now have to get permits if they want to perform on the streets of Baguio City.
Citing an increasing number of street performers in the city, Councilor Leandro Yangot filed a measure that will regulate and register street performers in the city.
A designated area for performance will also be assigned to zone performers and create a space dedicated for them as well as the public to enjoy.
“While it serves as an added attraction to the public as well as local and foreign tourists, regulating this activity is imperative while we allow street performances within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Baguio,” the proposed measure cites.
The ordinance aims to regulate “busking” or the act of performing in public places for gratuities.
“Busking brings free live music to everyone no matter who they are or how much money they have in their pockets. It allows our local artists to share their natural talent to the general public. In Europe and other countries, busking is a well-accepted activity,” he said.
If the new law is passed, a permit must be acquired by the performers at city hall with a corresponding fee of P350 for a year.
“Busking is a hugely overlooked art form, from it you can gain exposure, a surprisingly diverse fan base, other paid performance opportunities, paid practice time in front of a live audience, and make enough to live on. Many benefits can be gained from an underrated thing such as street performance if you really work at it. It is definitely something that every artist should take advantage of especially in Baguio City where it is open for anyone and everyone,” Yangot said.
Yangot added with the city now declared as part of the Unesco creative cities, local artists must therefore be emphasized and their contribution to the Unesco award must be appropriately rewarded.
Once the law is passed, a street performance committee will be created to oversee buskers. Once the permit is given, the performer will have to clearly display his permit while performing, to avoid being stopped by authorities.
The committee will also review performances for appropriate content before issuance of permits.
Performer will be banned to set up at roadways, sidewalks, crosswalks, driveways, stairways, curb cuts, handicapped access ramps nor block access to buildings, parks, public conveyances, businesses, crosswalks, traffic control poles containing pedestrian crosswalks.
Provisions on sound level, distance from other performers will also be set so as not to disturb, obstruct or overpower other performers in the designated area.