First title issued in John Hay lot awards

BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 25) — The city register of deeds released the first lot award title under Executive Order 64 issued by President Gloria Arroyo in 2001 that declared the Scout Barrio portion of the Camp John Hay Reservation as housing site for qualified occupants.

City register of deeds Juanito Ampaguey issued the title January 18 in favor of Angelita Yabut, widow of Alfredo Yabut, covering an area of 528 square meters, according to Froilan Gasmeña, head of the Scout Barrio Neighborhood Association.

Gasmeña said the title is the first of 41 awards initially being worked out for titling following the issuance of deeds of absolute sale signed by the Bases Conversion Development Authority, the government office authorized to dispose of and develop former military camps like John Hay. # Ramon Dacawi/PIO

Mayor seeks reconsideration on IRA cut

BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 25) — Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. Thursday said he would join other cities in seeking reconsideration of the reduction of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for around 80 cities nationwide because of the inclusion of 16 new cities.

Bautista in his weekly press briefing said the city stands to lose almost P30 million in its IRA share this year because of this development. He added from the supposed P348 million IRA the city would be receiving P319 million due to the said additional cities.

Baguio is not solely dependent on its IRA share but the reduction would still have effects on the implementation of the projects, according to Bautista. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

Dads ok Dominican Hill property bid out

BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 25) — The city council Monday granted Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. the authority to bid out the operation of the 32,402-square meter Dominican Heritage Hill.

The committee on laws chaired by Councilor Richard Cariño which recommended the move said the development of the property should be in accordance with the plan prepared by the city environment and parks management office (CEPMO), and must be subject to the city councilfs confirmation.

The move was based on the proposed resolutions of Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas and Councilor Galo Weygan noting the need to pursue the development and use of the long idle property. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

Experimental traffic scheme AO released

BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 25) — Reinaldo Bautista Jr. last week issued an administrative order enforcing an experimental one-way traffic flow around city hall from February 2 to March 2.

The perimeter roads lateral to the BCPO entering city hall frontage and from Kayang street to Justice Hall are also considered one-way only.

Signages, pavement markings and temporary barricades, as to the enforcement of the order shall be prepared by the City Engineers Office, while the Traffic Management Branch of the Baguio City Police Office shall assign personnel to man the junctions in the implementation of the scheme. # Julie G Fianza/PIO