First Family goes to Baguio for Lent

BAGUIO CITY – President Arroyo and the First Family are spending the Holy Week in the highlands here, away from the “noise” of Manila.

On Tuesday, the President will lead the graduation rites of the 220-member “Baghawi Class of 2008” (Bagong Halaw ng Lahi or New Breed of Leaders) at the Philippine Military Academy.

She will be joined by Vice President Noli de Castro and other officials. 

On Wednesday, Mrs. Arroyo is expected in La Trinidad, the capital of Benguet, to celebrate the town’s Strawberry Festival.

Last year, the Chief Executive led officials in unveiling a replica of a giant strawberry in front of the La Trinidad town hall, a memento for landing in the Guinness Book of Records for baking the biggest strawberry cake.

Cordillera and Baguio police are now on high alert for the coming of the President.

Cordillera police director Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin ordered tight security for the President, her family, and other high-ranking government officials coming to Baguio this week. 

The President skipped the PMA alumni homecoming here last month amid claims of an assassination plot by either extremist Muslims or communist rebels.

Superintendent Arni Dean Emock, Cordillera police spokesman, said all security arrangements are in place.

Baguio City police director Senior Superintendent Moises Guevarra said about 100 policemen from the regional office will augment over 500 men of the Baguio City police force.

The President might just be spared from rallies and demonstrations here as no left-leaning group has announced any protest action until Easter Sunday, officials said.

As in the past, Mrs. Arroyo will again do her share of promoting tourism in Baguio and the Cordillera region.

In her previous Holy Week visit here, she walked down Mansion House, greeted people, and posed for pictures with tourists at the President’s Official Residence.

The majestic Mansion House is one of Baguio’s major “must-see” places.

Some 250,000 tourists are expected to come here during the Holy Week to enjoy the city’s highland chill. — Artemio Dumlao