Baguio Proposal Seeks Free Venues and Tax Exemptions for Local Artists

A proposed ordinance in Baguio City seeks to exempt eligible local creative events from specified taxes and fees and allow their organizers to use city venues without rental charges.

Introduced by Councilor Edison R. Bilog, Proposed Ordinance No. PO 0248-26 carries the short title “Baguio City Free Access to Art and Public Spaces Ordinance.” The draft bears a receipt stamp dated August 7, 2026 and is listed in the City Council’s online proposed-ordinance system.[1][2]

In its explanatory note, the proposal argues that amusement taxes, ticket registration requirements, and administrative procedures create barriers for independent, low-income cultural productions. It calls for city support through tax relief, public spaces, and financial assistance.[1]

Tax and Fee Exemptions for Creative Events

Section 3 proposes permanent exemptions for art exhibits, independent theater plays, musical concerts, literary launches, folk-art festivals, and multidisciplinary showcases organized by Baguio-resident artists, local artist collectives, or nonprofit cultural entities.

The exemptions listed in the draft include the 10 percent local amusement tax on gross admission receipts and a 5 percent tax on localized community cultural-sports integration activities. They also cover Mayor’s Permit fees, business clearance charges, and event-related processing fees, along with charges listed for municipal inspections, zoning clearances, and engineering safety processing for temporary artistic setups.[1]

Free Use of City Venues and Public Creative Spaces

For eligible local art exhibits and cultural productions, Section 4 would waive rental fees for public properties owned, operated, or leased by the City Government of Baguio.

The draft names the Baguio Convention Center, Malcolm Square, Rose Garden, Burnham Park open spaces, Wright Park, Igorot Garden, and City Hall multipurpose halls among the covered venues. It also includes public school facilities during non-class hours.

Where applicable, the rental waiver would extend to existing built-in sound systems, lighting equipment, stages, and dressing rooms.

The proposal would also establish permanent, marked areas within public parks for activities such as busking, dance performances, and open-air painting sessions.[1]

Ticket Requirements and Other Provisions

Section 5 would prohibit the City Treasury Office from requiring local creative events to undergo physical ticket stamping, serial number registration, inventory tracking, or post-event ticket reconciliation. It would leave physical and digital ticket distribution to the event organizers’ discretion.

Under Section 6, city officials, department heads, property custodians, or employees who intentionally delay or refuse free venue access, or attempt to collect prohibited taxes or fees from qualified local artists, would be subject to administrative investigation. The draft provides for complaints to be filed directly with the Office of the City Mayor or the Civil Service Commission.

The proposal also seeks to repeal or modify provisions of Tax Ordinance No. 2000-001 and other local issuances that conflict with its tax exemptions and free venue provisions.

Although the full title mentions annual production grants, the posted three-page draft contains no section specifying grant amounts, funding, eligibility, or distribution procedures.[1]

Sources

[1] Baguio City Council, posted draft of Proposed Ordinance No. PO 0248-26, pages 1–3, particularly Sections 1–6 and 8.

[2] Baguio City Council, official online record for PO 0248-26.