Baguio Tourism Council Gathers Stakeholders for Annual Assembly, Honors Local Journalists
In Photo: “Baguio Tourism Council Chair Gladys Vergara convened the Executive Committee for ‘An Enchanting Baguio Christmas’ to finalize the calendar of activities and logistics for this year’s Yuletide festivities. Attending the meeting were City Tourism Officer Alec Mapalo, and City Environment and Parks Management Chief Atty. Rhenan Diwas, AEBC Secretariat Head Pam Cariño, and the BTC staff.” (BTC File Photo)
The Baguio Tourism Council (BTC) will convene its annual general assembly on September 23 at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center. The assembly aims to finalize the city’s Tourism Development Plan, address updates on the amendment of the tourism code, and encourage stakeholders to present programs for the upcoming year.
BTC Chair Gladys Vergara announced that the assembly will also serve as an opportunity to recognize the valuable contributions of local media in promoting Baguio’s tourism sector. Representatives from various sectors—including hotels and accommodations, restaurants and cafes, transport, education, arts and culture, tourist guides, and events—are expected to attend the day-long event.
In a recent meeting, the BTC emphasized the need to “consolidate feedback and suggestions from stakeholders” to finalize the Tourism Development Plan. Vergara expressed the council’s commitment to assisting with the amendment of the tourism code while urging members to present project proposals for next year’s initiatives.
One of the BTC’s major upcoming projects is “An Enchanting Baguio Christmas,” a six-week celebration featuring various events designed to make the city’s Yuletide festivities even more vibrant and memorable.
On the same day, the BTC will honor 56 local media personalities from print, radio, and television for their long-standing support in promoting local tourism. Among them, three distinguished journalists will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for their 50 years of dedicated service: Jimmy Lozano, also known as Lolo Doro of Z Radio; former broadcaster and publisher/editor-in-chief of the defunct Baguio Reporter, Eliral Refuerzo; and retired Philippine Daily Inquirer bureau chief, Rolando Fernandez.
According to Vergara, this recognition reflects the council’s deep appreciation for the generous support provided by the local media throughout the years.
In addition, 53 more journalists will be honored with service awards, categorized by years of service: 40, 30, 25, 20, and 15 years. Notable recipients include PTV4 Cordillera chief Richard Valdez, March Fianza, and retired RPN DZBS manager Malou Pascual, all of whom have 40 years of service. The 30-year service honorees include BCBC president Thomas Picaña and Radyo ng Bayan reporter and former BCBC president Joseph Cabanas, among others.
The largest group of awardees comprises journalists with 25 years of service, including Rappler stringer Franklin Cimatu, Dhobie de Guzman, Harley Palangchao, and Eddie Carta. All but Carta have previously served as Baguio Broadcasters and Correspondents Club (BCBC) president.
The day will culminate with a fellowship dinner and press briefing at the Baguio Palace Hotel, hosted by the BTC in honor of members of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
During the event, media representatives will also be briefed on the BTC’s year-end program. “An Enchanting Baguio Christmas.” ### (PR)
