BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club has canceled this year’s Lucky Summer Visitor’s program during Holy Week to mourn the death of a member in Itogon, Benguet this week.

The LSV is a traditional event of the media community, supported by local government units and stakeholders, which selects first-time visitors here during the Holy Week and receive red-carpet treatment for four days.

BCBC President Dioniso Dennis Jr. said they canceled the event to mourn the death of member Neil Clark Ongchangco and veteran photographer Rodolfo “Ompong” Tan.

Dennis said traditional ritual will be held on Maundy Thursday at the media camp in Burnham Park.

"While the shocking news has left us in a quandary whether to pursue or not, we have decided to forgo but will do traditional rituals to hopefully gain the balance following the tragic incident."

Mayor Benjamin Magalong mourned the death of Ongchangco who he described as a wonderful public servant from the Baguio City Public Information Office because of his kindness, humility, and willingness to help anyone in need. Ongchangco was also a cycling partner.

Magalong recognized Tan as a good businessman, a friend who was highly respected by the community and cared about the citizen photographer.

Tan was recognized and honored as one of the Outstanding Citizens of Baguio in 2022 for guiding children with autism in photography and actively supporting local disaster response initiatives.

Ongchangco, 40, was a city government employee and photographer of the Baguio City Public Information Office. Tan, 68, was a well-known businessman, hobbyist photographer of the Baguio Photographers Club, and respected partner of the Baguio media community.

They and four other photographers were on their way home from an event in Itogon to this city on Friday afternoon when their car was hit by strong current while crossing the Agno River.

Four of them survived. Tan died in a hospital and Ongchangco was swept away and his remains recovered later.

Meanwhile, the Baguio City Police Office will deploy 1,000 personnel to secure the Holy Week and summer vacation here from April 1 to May 31.

BCPO chief Police Col. Ruel Tagel said about 300 police personnel backed by more than 700 volunteers and other law enforcers will be strategically deployed.

He assured the people that they are ready to provide the necessary assistance and will maximize the deployment of available mobility assets to ensure timely response.