BAGUIO CITY, May 18 (PNA) -– Baguio City Councilor Elmer Datuin, chairman of the Council Committee on Tourism, on Monday said Baguio City continues to get its fair share of tourist arrivals despite the traffic snarls caused by the road and drainage rehabilitation works.
Datuin said hotels and other accommodation facilities in the city have been reporting full bookings for the past weeks which is an indication that Baguio City is still a favorite tourist destination in the northern Philippines.
Last week, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan advised the contractors of the road projects to fast-track or be methodical in undertaking the road works to minimize the traffic discomfort by motorists.
Datuin confirmed that the mayor complained to Baguio City District Engineer Alexander Castañeda about an abandoned construction on one of the main thoroughfares in the city due to unresolved contractual issues.
Datuin said work has resumed and is now being fast-tracked after the mayor advised “the contractors to work 24 hours to speed up the projects so these will be completed in time for the opening of classes in public schools on June 1”.
The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) personnel were also directed to continue manning the chokepoints to ensure that vehicle flow will continue despite the obstructions, Datuin added.
The mayor directed other concerned offices to continue to address concerns utilities to ensure enough water supply; smooth garbage collection and the tourist-oriented establishments to ensure hassle-free stay for the vacationers.
Datuin said the city continues to host big conventions so the venues must be maintained properly.
Reports from the City Tourism Officer Benny Alhambra indicated that the city played host to more than 730,000 guests during the first quarter of the year.
The number, the report stated, was based on bookings of accredited hotels and inns and did not include those bookings in transient houses all around the city the accredited establishments but did not submit its reports to the tourism office.
Accordingly, only 83 of the 142 accredited establishments submitted reports on guest arrivals.
Last year, the city had a total of 932,292 guests billeted in these accredited hotels, according to the Department of Tourism – Cordillera Administrative Regional Office (DOT-CAR). (PNA)