Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa CO-SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
Committee Report No. 294 Charter of the City of Baguio

Naimbag a malem (Good afternoon) Mr. President and distinguished colleagues.

Baguio City has been popularly described as a premiere tourist destination in the Northern part of the Philippines with its cool climate, foggy hills, panoramic views lovely flowers and good looking PMA cadets. Thus, making Baguio as one of the forefronts in boosting the country's economy through tourism. But Baguio City is more than that. As I quote Mayor Benjamin Magalong, "Baguio has been a testament of everything that has been achieved since 1909."

Mr. President, it is my honor and privilege to co-sponsor House Bill No. 8882 under Committee Report No. 294, otherwise known as the "Revised Charter of the City of Baguio."

On September 1, 1909, Baguio, then a municipality of Benguet province in Northern Luzon, was declared a chartered city by virtue of Act No. 1963 which paved the way for the City's development. Halos panahon pa nila American Governor Luke Wright, Architect Daniel Burnham, Colonel Lyman Kennon, at iba pa. Panahon pa ng mga Amerikano ika-nga. Incidentally, we commemorate Baguio's charter which turned 112 years old today.

Mr. President, I'm sure most, if not all, will agree that in our present modern time, a 112-year old charter is no longer responsive to the needs of our kababayans from Baguio. Commendably, despite its old charter, Baguio has managed to adopt to changes in their quest of attaining its mission of creating

a sustainable and enabling environment that will promote economic stability and ensure the general well-being of its citizenry. Tulad nga ng sabi ng butihing ama ng Baguio na si Mayor Benjamin Magalong, they have shown the world how much more can be won in unity and cooperation.

To recall, during the 15th Congress, a similar bill was passed by both houses but was vetoed by the late President Aquino. This time Mr. President, we have again on our hands the future of our kababayans and future generations of Baguio City. With the help of our hardworking sponsor from Cavite, my seatmate Senator Tolentino, the issues raised by the then President's veto has been adequately addressed without disregarding the needs of our fellow Filipinos who will directly benefit from it.

Today Mr. President is Baguio City's 112th Charter Day. I am certain, that the sponsorship of this bill today is far more than enough to celebrate with them despite being hundreds of kilometers away from the summer capital of the Philippines as this bill will give absolute fruition to their 112th Charter Day Anniversary theme: "Moving Forward as One".

As I would always proudly say, isa akong tubong Davao but Baguio will always be my home in the North.

I urge my dear colleagues for the earnest passage of the Revised Charter of Baguio City.

Join me in wishing Baguio City and its residents, Happy 112th Charter Day! Mabuhay ang Baguio City!

Thank you, Mr. President.