Baguio: The Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) has canceled the annual search for the Baguio-Benguet Lucky Summer Visitors (LSV) as a way to help ease the effects of the national energy emergency. The LSV, running for over six decades, is an annual event organized by Baguio's umbrella media organization. It selects six to eight individuals to receive a red-carpet treatment, including free accommodations, guided tours, souvenirs, and tokens. First-time visitors to Baguio are prioritized. It is implemented in partnership with the Baguio City government; Benguet provincial government; municipalities of La Trinidad, Tuba, and Tublay; private corporations; and destinations.
According to Philippines News Agency, BCBC president Dionisio Dennis Jr. stated, 'It is proper to cancel the search considering the fuel that will be used in bringing the LSV to the different tourist destinations in Baguio and Benguet.' In addition to the LSV, the participants will be accompanied by the media coverage team, which will photograph and record videos of the activities, along with police escorts and other members of the media contingent. Destinations are Lion's Head at Kennon Road, Philippine Military Academy in Barangay Kias, Mt. Camisong Forest Park in Itogon, Beacon Hill and Polig Farm in Tublay, and Strawberry Farm and the Admirals Farm in La Trinidad.
Other attractions that may be included are Stone Kingdom, Lourdes Grotto, Mines View and Write Park, John Hay, Tam-awan Village, Baguio Cathedral, and the city market. The media camp is located at Burnham Park, while Hotel Supreme serves as official accommodation. 'Everybody's cancelling as compliance to the directive to save on fuel and energy and it would not be nice if we pursue an activity that entails a lot of fuel to be used,' Dennis said. He also cited the death of two local photographers in an accident in Itogon after an advocacy shoot over the weekend as a factor for cancellation.
'We will still pursue the media camp, but we have decided to tone down everything and just provide a venue for colleagues to get together, chat, renew ties and just share stories,' Dennis said.
