𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬

The Baguio Tourism Council (BTC) successfully conducted its Board Elections following the selection of the newly elected nine private sector representatives, together with government officials marking another milestone in the council’s commitment to transparent, inclusive, and collaborative tourism governance.

The newly elected sectoral representatives and government officials convened to elect the council’s key officers-Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, and Auditor. The election proceedings were presided over by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who also serves as Co-Chairperson of the Baguio Tourism Council, ensuring that the process was orderly, transparent, and in full accordance with established protocols.

Nominations were opened for each position, and in a show of unity and confidence among the members, only one nominee for every post emerged, all receiving unanimous support. Voting was conducted through secret ballot following the election guidelines, with votes officially tallied by the COMELEC committee, further strengthening the integrity and credibility of the elections.

Following the results, Ms. Gladys Vergara of the G3 Restaurants and Bars Sector was reelected as Chairperson, reaffirming the trust placed in her leadership. Ms. Evangeline Payno of the G1 Hotels and Resorts Sector was elected as Vice Chairperson, while Mr. Jefferson Ng of the G5 Specialized Tourism Product Providers was reelected as Treasurer. Ms. Jeneffer Palacsa-Baltazar of the G8 Travel and Tours Sector was elected as the council’s Auditor.

Also present during the elections were key government partners, including DOT-CAR Regional Director Jovita Ganongan, Supervising Tourism Officer Engr. Aloysius Mapalo, and BCPO City Director Ruel Tagel, whose presence highlighted the strong partnership between national agencies, local government, and the tourism industry. TPU Chief PCPT Edith Aspilan was likewise in attendance to support the proceedings.

Representing the newly elected private sector groups were the nine sectoral representatives: Evangeline Payno (G1 Hotels and Resorts), Mita Dimalanta (G2 Alternative Accommodation Establishments), Gladys Vergara (G3 Restaurants and Bars), Glenn Gaerlan (G4 Academe, Schools, and Tourism Education), Jefferson Ng (G5 Specialized Tourism Product Providers), Jasper Golangco (G6 Tourism-Oriented Business Enterprises and Organizations), Ferdinand Balanag (G7 Heritage, Culture, Arts, and Media), Jeneffer Palacsa-Baltazar (G8 Travel and Tours), and Wilson Bumay-et (G9 Allied Tourism Services).

Also in attendance was KBP Baguio-Benguet President Erickson Ferrer, who served as part of the COMELEC committee, further reinforcing the transparency and credibility of the election process.

An induction ceremony immediately followed, formally welcoming and congratulating the newly elected Board of Trustees of the Baguio Tourism Council.

As the Baguio Tourism Council moves forward under its renewed leadership, it reaffirms its shared vision of sustainable, responsible, and inclusive tourism development. With strengthened unity between the private sector and government, the BTC looks ahead with renewed purpose, working collectively to protect Baguio’s heritage and empower its tourism stakeholders. (PR)