Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 1444

D16

MANILA-BAGUIO

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Worcester, Secretary of the Interior; Horace L. Higgins, President of Manila Railroad Company; Major L. M. Maus, U.S.A., Medical Corps; and Dr. Frank S. Bourns, journeyed from San Fernando to Baguio to investigate the possibilities of establishing a moun- tain resort and health station. On the strength of the committee's recommendations, the Philippine Commission appropriated money for Baguio's initial development. The first Sanatorium (now the Post Office) was constructed in 1902. D. H. Burnham, a landscape architect, visited Baguio in 1904 and drew the Burnham Plan for the development of Baguio. The Baguio Country Club was organized in 1906, and in 1908, the Baguio Hospital and Mansion House were constructed, and Teachers' Camp was opened. In 1909 five large Stanley automobiles made a through trip on the Benguet Road (now Kennon Road) for the first time. In the same year the township of Baguio was incorporated under the name of City of Baguio with a charter.

The township has a City Council consisting of five members, including the mayor and vice-mayor, an Igorot Advisory Council of five members, and various Government departments. Heads of the various departments, the Vice-Mayor and a third City Councilman, members of the Igorot Advisory Council, are all appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments of the National Assembly. The two other members of the City Council are elected by popular vote. For obvious reasons, two or more positions are filled by only one person without extra compensation. The City Treasurer is also the City Assessor, Mining Recorder for the Sub-province of Benguet, and Registrar of Deeds for both the city and the sub-province. The City Health Officer is also the Chief of the Baguio Hospital. The City Attorney is also the Provincial Fiscal of the Mountain Province. One Councilman is also the Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy. The Vice-Mayor is usually a ranking officer of the United States Army Post at Camp John Hay.

The activities of the City Government embrace the operation of the following utilities Hydro-electric plant, ice plant, telephone system, water supply system, sewerage system, pail and garbage system, city slaughterhouse, concrete pipe factory, rock crusher, and land transportation. The first city hydro-electric plant was completed on July 16th, 1921, the second city hydro-electric plant was completed on April 21st, 1924, the ice plant began the production of ice in 1921, the telephone system was inaugurated in 1908, the water supply system began operation in 1910, the sewer system began operation in 1913, the pail and garbage system was inaugurated in 1911, the city slaughterhouse was established in 1911, a concrete pipe factory was established in 1920, a rock crusher installed in 1916, the Baguio Central School (2 stories concrete) was completed on March 16th, 1923, the Sanitary Camp was established in 1913, the Vegetable Market Building (stone) was completed in 1918, Baguio Auditorium (formerly grandstand) was inaugurated on April 25th, 19 4, and the Baguio Branch Library (branch of the National Library) was established in August, 1921.

The places of interest in and round Baguio are: Camp John Hay, Trinidad Farm School, Teachers' Camp, Dominican Hill, Mirador Observatory, Sto. Tomas Mountain, Antamok Mines, Topside, Mansion House, Country Club, Wright Park, Pines Hotel, Government Centre, Quezon Hill, Burnham Park, Easter School, City Hall, City Market, Military Hill, Bua Dormitory, City Camp, Brent School, Saint Louis College, Baguio Central Schools, Baguio Hospital, Baguio Branch Library and Busol Cave Reservation.