Mayor thanks individuals, organizations who helped in market rehab

Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed the city government’s profuse gratitude to all those individuals and organizations from the public and private sector who were there to “compassionately and passionately” provide services, comfort, and assistance to those affected by the fire that razed a huge portion of the public market on the evening of March 11.

“The reason why we were able to make it (market rehabilitation) in only seven days instead of the projected three months is because of the hard work, the team work and what we call ‘bayanihan spirit’ where everybody contributed,” he said in Monday’s flag-raising rites at City Hall.

Those he thanked include Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan and members of the city council, Sen. Win Gatchalian and Sec. Rex Gatchalian, Bureau of Fire Protection, 911, City Social Welfare and Development Office, Baguio City Police Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development-CAR, Department of Labor and Employment-CAR, City Administrator Boni Dela Pena, City Buildings and Architecture Office, General Services Office, City Environment Parks Management Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, City Engineering Office, City Market division, Public Order and Safety Division, Philippine Military Academy, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Airforce reserves, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, volunteer groups, San Miguel Corp, Bikers groups.

He also thanked Uplife Movement, Lions Club, Davies and Boysen Paints, Onjon ni Ivadoy, Rehabilitation Action Baguio, SLU Class of 68, Ed Nevada, Jacqueline Go, Dano Mercado, Lea Alhambra, Donna Del Rosario, ROTARACT Club of Downtown Session, Rotary Club of LTB Shareline, Café by the Ruins, JD’s Manukan, Solibao Restaurant, Rainbow Café, Edwin Ganga, Pam Carino, Julies Bakeshop, Curamed pharmacy, Iyaman restaurant, and others.

The Mayor cited former DOT Reg. Dir. Venus Tan, head of the Baguio Advisory Council, who was able to solicit P1.7 Million from private donors that will go to those affected by the fire.

He also thanked city hall employees who helped in the cleaning-up of the market and showed their sense of social responsibility.

The Mayor invited his fellow officials led by Vice Mayor Fautino Olowan to join him after the ceremonies to the market for the official turn-over of stalls to vendors displaced by the fire. – Gaby B. Keith