Dads push for preservation of Forbes Park

BAGUIO CITY—The city council on June 23 called for the retention of the 29-hectare Forbes Park area along South Drive as a forest reservation following confirmation by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office that some portions of the reservation have been declared as alienable or disposable.

The body also requested the cancellation of all townsite sales applications (TSA) made by private entities over said lot and to immediately resolve the ancestral land issued in the area to retain the area as a pine-stand and safeguard its forest cover.

The council nevertheless was concerned that there were portions declared open for disposition thus it moved to declare it a policy of the city government to retain the areas as a forest reservation.

In 2005, then mayor Braulio Yaranon made the same move asking the DENR-CAR to cancel all the TSA and miscellaneous sales applications (MSA) over lots within the Forbes Park and asked the recall of the fencing, building and such other permits issued to any person or entity applying for said lots.

The mayor’s move was prompted by reports that TSA and MSA lot applications over said lots have been approved with the applicants claiming that the lots are part of their ancestral domain. # Aileen P. Refuerzo-PIO

Dads create body to study use of roads

BAGUIO CITY—The city council has recommended the creation of a committee to study the use of roads within the central business district during parades, motorcades, special activities and occasions.

According to the resolution authored by Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas, there is a need for a body to devise rerouting schemes and peace and order measures along Session Road, Magsaysay Road, Harrison Road and other roads, which have to be closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate these events without causing much inconvenience to the public.

“Routes differ in which roads have to be closed depending on the kind of activity, the number of participating groups and parading elements, the length of time for the occasion, the days and periods when such activities are held, and other considerations, that prompt the need to create the committee that this resolution intends to create in order to conduct the feasibility study in line with traffic re-routing and advisories.” # Aileen P. Refuerzo-PIO

CJH business face heavy fines, penalties

BAGUIO CITY—City legal officer (CLO) Melchor Rabanes last week requested the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) and the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) to investigate businesses within the Camp John Hay Economic Zone (CJHEZ) who have failed to pay necessary regulatory fees and secure business permits from the city.

“Businesses in CJH are subject to city government regulations and it is only fair that business proprietors must pay for the cost of regulation in exchange for a peaceful business environment secured for them by the city government,” said Rabanes.

In his letter to POSD head Gregorio Deligero and treasurer Thelma Manois, Rabanes said, “The CLO intends to pursue prosecution of erring business establishments in line with the efforts of the city government to enforce compliance with Ordinance 2000-001 or the tax ordinance of the city.” # Isagani S. Liporada-PIO