By BRICCIO DOMONDON

BAGUIO CITY — In a move seen to rekindle love and respect for the City of Baguio, City Councilor Fred L. Bagbagen has filed a proposed legislative measure with the City Council aimed at compelling the various sectors of the City to sing the Baguio March and Baguio Hymn.

The proposed ordinance entitled “Requiring the singing of the Baguio March and/or Baguio Hymn in every flag raising ceremony, programs, official functions, gatherings and other special activities of all public and private educational institutions, governmental organizations, non- governmental organizations and other civic-oriented organizations in the City of Baguio”, seeks to familiarize to the residents of the City the Baguio Hymn and Baguio March.

In the explanatory portion of the said proposed ordinance Councilor Bagbagen cited Resolution Numbered 256, adopted in 1991”Requiring the singing of the Baguio Hymn during flag raising ceremonies, programs and special activities sponsored by the City Government” as well as Ordinance Numbered 052, series of 1993 entitled “Formally adopting and declaring the musical compositions, entitled ‘Baguio: Haven for all and ‘Beautiful Baguio’ as the official Baguio Hymn and Baguio March, respectively.

Bagbagen further explained that inasmuch as we dutifully and religiously pay homage and respect to our national anthem, the same devotion must also be expressed and done by the citizens of the City of Baguio with regards to the City’s hymn and march. He further mentioned that based on observations many of our residents in the City of Baguio, particularly the youth are unaware of the City’s Hymn and March and thus the need to make them familiar with it thru mandatory singing of the Baguio March and Baguio Hymn.

It may be recalled that the singing of the Baguio march and hymn has been religiously observed during flag raising ceremonies at City Hall and other official public functions, however, if approved, the proposed ordinance will widen the scope and extent where the Baguio hymn and march shall be practiced since the proposal will include special activities of private educational institutions, governmental organizations, non- governmental organizations and other civic-oriented organizations in the City of Baguio.

It is of course hoped that by making the singing of the Baguio March and Hymn mandatory the citizenry of the City will be inspired and encouraged to foster love and respect for the City of Pines.

Likewise, the proposed ordinance will, apart from its dissemination to the public, also require public and private and educational institutions, governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and other civic-oriented organizations in the City of Baguio to secure copies of the lyrics and musical score of Baguio: Haven For All and Beautiful Baguio at the Research Division of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) at City Hall. # nordis.net