Baguio Roundup: Oct. 16 to 22, 2011

2 MIN READ

All set for Oplan Kaluluwa 2011
By Joseph B. Zambrano

BAGUIO CITY — All systems are in place in this mountain resort for the traditional observance of All Saints and All Souls Day on November 1 and 2, respectively where people are expected to flock to the different cemeteries and memorial parks in the city.

Coordinated under ‘Oplan Kaluluwa.’ the city government, the Philippine National Police, Department of Transportation and Communication (DoTC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Health (DoH), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), as well as concerned socio-civic, and radio groups, are ready for the crowd drawn for this annual tradition.

Also, Baguio City police director Sr.Supt. David Lacdan is enjoining the public to remain vigilant and cooperative, and to secure their homes by unplugging electrical appliances, locking up all doors and windows, activating the alarm system if any, and perhaps asking a trusted neighbor to occasionally check out the area. #

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Bulk sales for All Saints Day flowers start Oct. 26
By PNA

BAGUIO CITY- Mayor Mauricio Domogan approved the use of the spacious General Luna Drive here as site for the bulk sales of fresh flowers from October 26 to November 1.

By Christian tradition during the event, surviving members of families offer fresh flowers and light candles at the tombs of their departed loved ones on November 1 and 2. The practice has led to the development of the multi-million-peso flower industry in the localities, especially in Benguet Province, which is noted for producing hundreds of tons of temperate flowers.

Yearly, the most saleable flowers are American roses, Japanese chrysanthemum, European strains of carnation, calalily, baby’s breath, Espanola, ferns, Malaysian mums, anthorium, orchids and others. Most benefited sectors during the event are tourism-oriented establishments, agriculture and those involved in commerce, communication and industry. #

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Baguio city to face ‘writ of kalikasan’ case
By PNA

BAGUIO CITY — Baguio Rep. Bernardo Vergara Friday said the trash slide here, where five persons were killed and now known as the “August 27 tragedy” at the height of Typhoon “Mina”, was a fortuitous event. He said that he delivered a privilege speech in Congress to explain the tragic event as he was informed that the municipality of Tuba in Benguet, through Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan, is poised to file a case in the Supreme Court for “writ of kalikasan.”

The writ is where a natural or juridical person could be held liable for damages brought about by acts which degrades the environment in accordance with international treaties and protocols in which the Philippines is a signatory.

In that trash slide, dumped into Tuba town area closed the Asin Road for several days, destroyed crops and properties and the seepage from the breached garbage holding area threatened local water sources. Records show that Baguio still has no sanitary landfill, it hauls its garbage out of town which costs the city an average of P200 million yearly. #