Isagani S. Liporada
BAGUIO CITY – After hopping 2-months of stormy weather, the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives (CARE) through its education sector finally lands both feet, October 6, as it holds the third “Walk, Baguio, Walk,” 7:45am, at the Baguio Athletic Bowl.
Coordinating the third “walk” are the Cordillera offices of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Education (DepEd) led by directors Freddie Bernal, Cenon Querubin, and Benito Tumamao, respectively.
“Walk, Baguio, Walk,” was launched by the Baguio Regreening Movement Inc. (BRM) and the City Government of Baguio, June 2. The endeavor advocates “walking” to ease traffic congestion; reduce pollution due to vehicle exhaust; encourage fuel conservation; and advance healthy lifestyle among Baguioans.
At City Hall, an excited mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr., October 2, issued Administrative Order 157-2008, enjoining the whole Baguio local government to join the multi-agency flag ceremony at the Baguio Athletic Bowl.
He said, “With the efforts of CARE, CHED, DepEd, and TESDA, we are sure that volunteerism is indeed alive in the City.”
“It may have slumbered a bit because of successive typhoons but now that we’re above the weather, we can show the world that we are indeed serious in reclaiming our once famous pine-scented breeze.”
He added, “The holding of the walk can never be timelier as we are likewise launching Local Government Month in the same event.”
Reports from CHED, TESDA, DepEd, and DILG shall be highlighted in the event, spruced up by performances from various scholastic and technical skills institutions.
Meanwhile, Dr. Virginia Akiate of CHED-Cordillera said, “We are hoping to surpass previous numbers with the October walk.”
She added, “Aside from highlighting the talents of our school kids as they perform during the program, we have likewise invited pupils and students to join us in the endeavor.”
The Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center hosted the July walk where an estimated 2,500-people from the public and private sector joined. On the said walk edition, Department of Tourism –Cordillera and CARE chair Pura Molintas volunteered CARE as the next host.
Earlier, BRM chairman and city councilor Erdolfo Balajadia encouraged both private and public sectors to join the walk by enlisting with the BRM through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) or the Public Information Division, Office of the Mayor (PIO).
He said, “We are encouraging everybody to walk or pedal their way to the venue; and from the venue to their respective places of work… We are likewise asking participants to bend a little to pick up pieces of litter along the way.”
He added, “We appeal to individuals to donate some amount to the BRM for the purchase of seedlings and to fuel its various advocacy programs, instead of spending their money for fuel or public transport.”
Participants are encouraged to bring coffee, juice, water and snacks which they could share for a morning quaff with other participants before the program.
BRM meanwhile advised those who, by health reasons could not participate in the program, to leave their vehicles and take public transport instead.
Balajadia explained, “By taking public transport, we can be assured that our streets are less than a vehicle and less than a possible source of air pollution, which in turn makes our streets safer for walkers.”
Organizations interested in holding the next walk may contact the DENR Environment Management Bureau at 442-2346 or the Public Information Office, City Hall at 442-2502.**ISL
