By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY — Sa isang pananaw na gawing modelo ng pag-unlad at pagpapanatili ng lungsod, buong kababaang-loob na iniaalok ni Gladys Vergara ang kanyang kandidatura bilang Congresswoman. Ginagabayan ng mga prinsipyo ng pamumuno ng lingkod at malalim na nakaugat sa mayamang pamana ng kultura ng ating lungsod, nangangako si Vergara na bumuo ng mas maliwanag, mas inklusibong kinabukasan para sa bawat residente ng Baguio. Ayon kay Vergara, bilang Congresswoman ay pangunahing tungkulin niya ang likhain, suportahan, at itaguyod ang batas na direktang tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga tao. Kabilang samga batas nan ais niyang matupad ay ang Pagbutihin ang mga pampublikong serbisyo; Pahusayin ang imprastraktura; Itaguyod ang pagpapanatili ng kapaligiran at Pasiglahin ang paglago ng ekonomiya. “Sisiguraduhin ko na Baguio’s Identity and Priorities ay maging mahusay na kinakatawan sa pambansang paggawa ng patakaran habang walang pagod na nagtatrabaho upang makakuha ng pagpopondo at mga inisyatiba na nagpapasigla sa buhay ng bawat mamamayan.” Aniya, sama-sama, maaari hubugin ang Baguio ang bilang isang modelo ng isang Smart, Sustainable, at Equitably Developed Urban City—isa na nagpapanatili ng kultural na pamana nito, nagpoprotekta sa kapaligiran, at nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa mga mamamayan nito. Ang mga pagpapahalagang ito ay magtitiyak na ang Baguio ay mananatiling dynamic, livable, at inclusive para sa mga susunod na henerasyon. Ayon pa kay Vergara, ang esensya ng kanyang pamumuno ay paglilingkod—walang pag-iimbot at taos-puso. “Ang Glad to Serve You” ay higit pa sa isang slogan; ito ay sumasalamin sa aking pangmatagalang pangako sa paglalagay ng mga pangangailangan ng ating komunidad higit sa lahat. Nang may pagpapakumbaba, pakikiramay, at matatag na dedikasyon, magsisikap akong mapabuti ang kapakanan ng bawat indibidwal.” Aniya, humugot siya ng lakas at inspirasyon sa pambihirang serbisyo publiko ng kanyang ama na si dating Congreeman Bernardo Vergara, na ang pamumuno ng proactive at action-driven ay nakakuha ng tiwala at paggalang ng hindi mabilang na mga residente ng Baguio. “ Ang kanyang kakayahang kumilos nang mapagpasyang at maghatid ng mga resulta ay nananatiling tanda ng pamumuno na nais kong tularan. Ito rin ang hindi natitinag na dedikasyon sa pagkilos na dinadala ko habang nangangako ako sa paglilingkod sa ating lungsod nang may kakayahan, habag, at integridad, “ paliwanag pa ni Vergara. “Sa pagsisimula ng aking paglalakbay na ito, hinihiling ko ang iyong suporta at lakas upang mamuno nang may karunungan at patas, palaging ginagabayan ng kabutihang panlahat. Sama-sama nating parangalan ang nakaraan ng Baguio, yakapin ang pagbabago, at lumikha ng hinaharap na maipagmamalaki nating lahat.” “Ang iyong tiwala at suporta ay magbibigay sa amin ng kapangyarihan upang makamit ang aming ibinahaging pananaw para sa Baguio City. Ikinararangal kong makasama ka sa gawaing ito at mapagpakumbabang hilingin ang iyong pag-endorso habang nagsusumikap tayo para sa isang mas magandang bukas,” pahayag pa ni Vergara.      

BAGUIO CITY – “Not everybody is blessed with the age I have now; for me, it is a waste of what God has lent me, that in the remaining days of my life I cannot do anything to help my neighbor. I returned to politics because I know that I can still help many people and create programs for our city,” said former City Councilor Elaine Sembrano. Sembrano is currently a candidate for city councilor under the local party Team Maka-Baguio. Sembrano was a City Councilor from 2007 to 2010 and held the Market, Trade, Commerce, and Agriculture committee chair position, continuing in that role from 2013 to 2016. She also held the Health and Sanitation, Ecology, and Environment Protection committee chair position from 2016 to 2019 and the Tourism, Special Events, Parks, and Playgrounds committee chair position from 2019 to 2022. One of Sembrano’s legacies from her past committees is the Market…. “For me, what I loved most was the market. During my time, I admit that our market was clean because I was there at five in the morning, observing the sales, especially the fish section. I suggested proper handling of the goods to ensure cleanliness from the start,” Sembrano said. According to Sembrano, she spoke to the market leaders, who cleaned it at least once or twice a month. “We helped each other; we cleaned and flushed, because the cleanliness of our market was very important.” “During my time, there were no trade fairs, as that would create competition among the vendors. I wanted to protect our market vendors because they paid their taxes in our city. That’s why they deserved protection.” She said that one of his programs was the “No Plastic” Ordinance in the market. “We knew that plastic contributes to environmental deterioration.” Some of Sembrano’s major contributions in legislation are the following: Provide incentives to Fast Food corporations and Restaurants in the City of Baguio that employs qualified Senior Citizens and Persons with disabilities. Urging the Traffic and Transportation Management Committee (TTMC) To study the implementation on a no backing up rules for heavy trucks and Buses along Buhagan Road ( Bokawkan Road ), Aspiras-PalispisHighway (Marcos Highway) and Governor Pack Road in the City of Baguio to address the traffic congestions in the said areas. Prohibiting Employment Discrimination against former offenders of ex-offenders who are residents of Baguio City. Declaring the basement of Baguio Convention Center a permanent Cultural Gallery of the purpose of strengthening our standing as members of UNESCO Creative City. Institutionalizing a “Session Road History and Heritage Festival in the City of Baguio“Appropriatingfunds Funds and other purposes. Mandating Pet owners to have their Pet wear pet diapers before entering Establishments such as Malls, Groceries, Restaurants and other similar establishment who choose to avail the ordinance. Amending section 31 of ordinance no.S,1016 (Environment code of the City of Baguio) To conclude provisions that would regulate the use of areaswithin Parks for health and fitness activity payment of fees by Trainers/Instructors charging fees for their use of the area, and for other purposes. Institutionalizing the Search for Best Performing Barangay in the City of Baguio provides guidelines and for other purposes. Sembrano, known as the Ina sa Konseho, is ready to serve again and create more programs for the city of Baguio. (PR)

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong has strongly denied that he pointed a gun at a businessman, instead he condemned the character assassination being carried out against him as the elections approached. “I never pointed a gun, Fred Go knows that,” Magalong said regarding the rumor that he pointed a gun at a businessman, in connection with the rumor that he owns big businesses in the city. It was learned that Magalong allegedly confronted Fred Go, the current owner of Good Taste, about why he did not tell the truth that he had no connection or that he (Magalong) was not the owner of Good Taste Restaurant. “I said I never transacted business with your family, all you have to tell the truth. He said he doesn’t want me to get involved in politics. I said it has nothing to do with politics, it is all about ethics and morals. I’m just showing that I’m fighting for you, look I’m under threat, that’s why my gun is here, look at my guns in front of me,” Magalong said. According to Magalong, he believes that this is all just character assassination and that he has been continuously being slandered since he took office as the city mayor. Magalong also said that they learned that someone hired several taxi drivers, including several senior citizens, to spread the word to the public every day that he owns the Parkway Condo and Medical Center; owns 200 taxi units and the Good Taste. The said business establishments have already made statements on their respective social media and denied any connection with the mayor. It was also learned that Magalong and Fred Go spoke again and both apologized to each other regarding the issue. The management of Good Taste has now issued a Notice to the Public stating that Magalong does not own the said popular and popular restaurant. Magalong also admitted that he now carries a gun, after confirming to him that he has a death threat. “I received a message from former Secretary Allen Capuyan, because I asked him for help on what this threat was to me. On February 19, he messaged me and said, Sir, be careful, the threat seems positive.” He said he was not afraid of the threat in any way to his life. “I was afraid of the safety of my family, what if they did something to me and hurt my family.” According to Magalong, he believes that his alleged opponent is trying to silence him in connection with his disclosure of his knowledge of government corruption. Magalong also stated that city hall employees have nothing to worry about, as security measures are in place inside and outside the building. By Zaldy Comanda