Floats, history mark City fiesta parade

“A depiction of the city’s rich and colorful history.”


This, says Bugsy delos Reyes, is what residents will see at the fiesta parade “Balik-Tanaw 2011.”
“It will be simple and meaningful. There will be at least 14 floats showing the various periods of our city’s history, from pre-Spanish, Spanish, American, the Pinatubo period and present day situation,’ Delos Reyes, the fiesta chair, told the Olongapo News.


He also stressed that the city’s rich arts and culture tradition is another impor-tant theme in the City Fiesta celebrations.
“We have Cinemalaya. We have Wow Artistang ‘Gapo Ito! (WAGI) and we have other shows like Talentadong Pinoy of ABC-5 as showcases of the festivities,’ he adds.

More floats
The Fiesta parade is the traditional highlight of the Fiesta activities.
“Kesa puro tao na naglalakad may hawak na tarpaulin at nagba-bato ng candies ang makikita, let’s have more colorful floats for the people to appreciate. Add the arts and history theme and it will be worth watching and joining,” the neophyte councilor, who owns and runs his own dinner cruise in Manila Bay, said.
The 14 floats were assigned to the various departments of the city government, including a few more contributed by the different groups and companies.

A unique fiesta
The city’s fiesta cele-bration is unique as it honors Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero, rather than a particular Roman Catholic saint as traditionally prac-ticed in various parts of the  country.
According to www.-olongapofiesta.com, the official website of the committee, the American administrators in the early 1900s had to follow the local Roman Catholic fiesta tradition—a time to give thanks to the Almighty and to make plans for improve-ments of the town.
But many prominent families were members of religious groups such as Aglipayan Church, Methodist Episcopal Church, the Seventh Day Adven-tists, the Church of Christ and the Iglesia ni Cristo.
To accommodate all the religious dominations, the Americans decided on a secular center for the fiesta and introduced Rizal Day (December 30) as the town fiesta.

Improve health
The funds raised by the Fiesta activities will go to barangay health centers in the form of equipment and medicines.
According to some barangay officials, health workers receive between P500 to P1500 monthly allowance depending on the available funds.
“These are the people who climb up hills to provide medical services to our people. They need our help so that they can in return, help our communities,” Bugsy explained.
Plans are afoot to make specialized centers to maximize resources in populated barangays in small areas like the cluster of New Ilalim, New Kababae and Bancain.
“One is a lying in clinic. The other can be a dental center. Maybe the other can specialize on pediatrics. The United Architect of the Philippines (UAP) Quezon City, as an example, pledged to support the New Ilalim center,’ delos Reyes said.

Best in December
Aside from Cinemalaya, the city will have a drum and lyre competition and a lantern parade at the East Tapinac Oval Track on December 9th.
Among the other events lined up are the Christmas Eve Mass at the Rizal Trinagle on Decem-ber 24th, the last canvassing of the City Fiesta Queen, a Cultural night for Balik-Bayan on December 27 and the City Fiesta Queen coronation night the fol-lowing day.
“I urge companies, groups and well-meaning residents to join us. This is a celebration of the our city and all the blessing that came our way this yea

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Gordon faces charges on Bazaar affair

City Mayor James Gordon Jr., was charged of grave abuse of authority and gross negligence before the Om-budsman for allowing organi-zers of the Christmas Bazaar to occupy public spaces in violation of the New Civil Code of the Philippines.


The complaint was filed by Vice Mayor Rolen Paulino, councilor Noel Atienza and councilor Lugerna Sarah Lipumano Garcia last November 17 at the office of the Ombuds-man for Luzon.

Included in the charge is Aliah Dimakuta, organizer of the Christmas Night Bazaar.

In their 7-page complaint-affidavit, Paulino, Atienza and Lipumano-Garcia accused Gordon of grave abuse of authority and gross negligence for ‘allowing the use of public streets despite clear prohibition as mandated by laws and jurisprudence.’

The affidavit was subscribed and sworn to before assistant city prosecutor Vangeline Tiongson last November 16.

Mayor Gordon signed into law an ordinance in October 25, 2011 “temporarily closing portions of the Gordon Avenue Area and Volunteers Park Area from October 10, 2011 to Janaury 10, 2012 for the Christmas Night Bazaar.”

He also approved a city council resolution for Haniah and Aliah Company to conduct a Christmas Bazaar along Perimeter St. and along Gordon Avenue area.

The three also alleged that bazaar operators were allowed to occupy a portion of Magsaysay Drive, contrary to the stated locations in the approved measuresThey added that the stalls were allowed to be put up on October 10, 2011, more than two weeks before the measures were passed by the city council.

The Olongapo News sought the comments Mayor Gordon through the Public Affairs Office, but have yet to receive a reply as of press time.

Not for lease
Article 424 of the New Civil Code states that “property for public use, in the provinces, cities and municipalities, consists of the provincial roads, city streets, municipal streets, the squares, fountains, public waters promenades and public works for public service paid by provinces, cities and municipalities.”

“This Bazaar is patently illegal because the public areas are beyond the com-merce of men and cannot be the subject of any con-tractual relation whether for consideration of for free,” Atienza explained.

He cited several Supreme Court and Court of Appeals decisions ruling that “areas for public use are beyond the commerce of men” and that these areas “cannot be disposed of or even leased by the municipality to private parties.”

P250K for 3 months
During the deliberation of the measures in the city council, proponent councilor Gina Perez said that the city will generate P250,000 from the Bazaar.

“This,” Paulino said, “is disadvantageous to the city government.”

In a letter sent to councilor Gina Perez, Conrado Tiu, President of Conti Group, said that simi-lar bazaar stall inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone are rented P120,000 for three months.

Businessmen have asked Mayor Gordon to transfer the bazaar to a more appropriate location saying it causes logistics, traffic, sanitation and secu-rity problem for them and their patrons.

Even Freeport workers rue that the stalls blocked the passage ways causing severe inconvenience for those entering and leaving the economic zone.

Some bazaar patrons, however, said that they are “happy with the location.”

“Mas mura dito kesa sa malls. Kung legal o illegal, kasalan nila ‘yon,” a 24-year-old mother who frequents the bazaar said.(30)

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