BAGUIO CITY – ‘We have learned from the past, we should always be prepared’
City Mayor Mauricio Domogan intoned after approving Administrative Order 85 series of 2012 temporarily closing portions of Session Road to commemorate the 22nd Killer Earthquake Memorial in the city which happened July 16, 1990.
It can be recalled that the city of Baguio was ravaged by a magnitude 7.6 quake 22 years ago bringing the city to its knees.
Eventually, with cooperation, the spirit to move-on and the outpouring support it received, the city eventually moved forward to what it is now.
July 22, which falls on a Sunday, will be highlighted by a simple program in the middle of Session Road to remember all who perished in that faithful day.
Domogan said, ‘there is need for a temporary closure of some portions of the Central Business District (CBD) to allow tourists and local residents to participate in the activities lined up for the event.
The closure will be from 5 am to 12 noon starting at Lower Session Road from its junction with Upper and Lower Mabini Streets up to its junction with Assumption Road will be closed to vehicular traffic .
Meanwhile, the city is also host to the 25th Cordillera Administrative Region’s (CAR) Founding Anniversary July 15 (Sunday).
The event highlighted the parade of officials, organizations, schools, street dancers from Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province and Baguio.
The left lane of Upper and Lower Session road down to the right lane of Harrison Road, Gov. Pack and University of the Philippines has been closed to vehicular traffic from 7am to 11 am for the occasion.
The city welcomed the Unity Relay Gong, the symbol of solidarity and cooperation between the Cordillerans Saturday (July 14).
Mayor Mauricio Domogan personally received the Unity Relay Gong in a ceremonial turn-over from Apayao delegation officials after it passed through Abra in June 4, Benguet in June 11, Lagawe-Ifugao in June 18, Tabuk-Kalinga in June 23 and Luna-Apayao in July 4.
The Cordillera Unity relay started May 28 at the historical Mt. Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province where in September 13, 1986, CPLA leader Fr. Conrado Balweg and then President Corazon Aquino exchanged ‘peace tokens’ to signify ‘Sipat’ or cessation of hostilities between government forces and the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA).
Meantime, Special Proclamation 391 from the Office of the President declared July 16 (Monday) as a Special Non-Working Day in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
This after the Chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) requested for the declaration on July 16 instead of July 15 to give the peoples of the Cordillera a chance to participate in the activities lined-up and join the celebrations. ***paul rillorta