WEEKENDER: High taxes hurt Baguio's tourism plans.

The snail-pace legislation of pro-tourism bill pending at the city council may yet snatch the summer capital of the Philippines title from this mountain resort, local businessmen warned.

Carl Estepa, Cordillera regional tourism councils chairman, said local hotels and inns may not be able to lower down room rates in time for the summer season as requested by the Department of Tourism (DoT) due to the heavy business and real property taxes levied against them by the local government.

Mr. Estepa, who is also Cordillera director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said local businessmen are still awaiting the promised legislation to lower …