‘Tracking Czar’ Magalong admits his own mistake at Baguio hotel party

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong said on Wednesday that health measures were violated during the recent birthday celebration of social media personality Tim Yap in Baguio city.

Magalong, the government’s top contact tracker, said he was invited to Yap’s 44th birthday party on January 17 at The Manor inside Camp John Hay and admitted “direct violations” of health measures to prevent transmission. of the new coronavirus.

The mayor said that when he arrived around 8pm, he was satisfied that mandatory health protocols such as wearing masks and physical distancing were observed. Some guests removed their masks when food was served in the open park while a traditional community dance was taking place.

Dance invitation

Magalong said he and his wife, Arlene, were having dinner when he and other guests were asked to join the dance.

“Of course, we are only human. You were eating and suddenly you were asked to dance, then you forgot [to put on a mask]”He told reporters.

But the mayor said he made sure to remind guests to keep wearing their masks and note the physical distancing.

“We are not perfect. That is what happened there. But like I said, there is still a violation, ”he said.

Yap, who describes himself as an “eventologist,” is popular on social media with 1.4 million followers on Twitter, 542,929 on Instagram, and 27,896 on Facebook.

The Inquirer attempted to reach Yap for comment, but did not return calls.

In an interview with ABS-CBN on Tuesday night, he said he organized the dinner to promote tourism in Baguio.

He said that he and his guests had tested negative for the coronavirus before traveling to Baguio.

He said they wore masks but had to take them off at dinner and while mingling with the dancers.

Sorry

In another interview with CNN Philippines, Yap apologized for not wearing a mask and said there was no excuse for it. “It was never my intention to offend anyone. I would never do anything that would put anyone in danger, “he said.

It was not immediately known how many guests were at the party, but Magalong said it was a “small group.”

He said authorities were still identifying other people who attended the event and that they would be asked to explain what happened that night.

“We will let them explain why they violated minimum health standards, especially by wearing masks, so that we can bring the necessary cases against them and then fine them,” Magalong said.

According to the mayor, even his wife violated health regulations after she was photographed without a mask.

“Obviously since some people took photos with my wife, she did not wear her mask. So I have to fine even her, ”Magalong said.

Baguio Promoter

He said he did not know Yap personally, but was invited by a mutual friend to meet the social media celebrity who helped promote Baguio as a tourist destination.

“He (Yap) has been inviting people to come to Baguio and has assured them that the city is safe,” Magalong said.

He said that Yap was with a group that bought nine paintings at the Interlinked exhibition here. Interlinked was one of the highlights of last year’s low-key Creative City Festival in Baguio.

Yap was also seen at the launch of “Christmas in Baguio”.

Magalong said The Manor’s management was also asked to explain the breach of health rules.

Sources said the mayor had written to the hotel, citing the absence of an official government notification of the event.

The letter also drew the hotel’s attention to the amount of liquor served at dinner, which allegedly exceeded the prescribed ceiling for all food establishments in Baguio while the quarantine remains in effect.

All events must be reviewed by the city government to make sure health and safety measures were followed in accordance with local regulations.

The Manor has yet to release a statement. Jovita Ganongan, director of the Cordillera Tourism Department, said she will be given the opportunity to explain how Yap’s guests were allowed to party and congregate without masks.

Criticisms of Internet users

Yap’s birthday party and rapes were heavily criticized on social media as Baguio continued to experience surges in coronavirus infections and a more contagious variant of the virus was detected in the Cordillera.

“This is hypocrisy. We hope that ordinary people will also have the opportunity to explain when they are caught violating the protocols, ”said a netizen.

Another told Magalong: “People here strive to follow health protocols, even if we can barely breathe under a face shield and a mask. And yet tolerates the party. “

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III defended Magalong, saying he was confident that the mayor had given him “solid and adequate advice” regarding social gatherings.

“I know him well enough [as someone] who would have discouraged [violating the health protocols]. He himself must have been caught off guard, ”Duque said in an interview Wednesday.

Some residents were skeptical about reopening the city to tourists in October last year.

Blocking losses

More than 20,000 visitors had visited Baguio by the end of December, and 3,000 more were authorized to visit in January and February.

All tourist establishments have been “diligent” in setting up health systems and abiding by all the rules, Ganongan said.

He said critics must understand that The Manor, like other Baguio hotels, “suffered when the Luzon closure forced them to close,” and would go to great lengths to make sure no one gets sick during its surveillance.

Hotels, inns and restaurants suffered P1.6 billion in losses from the closure, Ganongan said.

The impact on the industry not only affected investors, but also its employees, vegetable suppliers and the local economy, he said.

“Almost all the important buildings in Baguio were built to cater for tourists,” Ganongan said. —WITH REPORTS FROM MARICAR CINCO Y ALLAN MACATUNO

For more news on the new coronavirus, click here.

What you need to know about the coronavirus.

For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare leaders and still accepts cash donations to be deposited into the Banco de Oro (BDO) checking account # 007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link .

Read next