Please allow us to respond to certain matters raised by a letter-sender through the “Week’s Mail” section in the March 5 issue of the Baguio Midland Courier relative to the question on why there is purportedly only one architect handling Baguio projects.

Inasmuch as the University of the Philippines Baguio was mentioned as one of the institutions whose “projects” are being handled by the subject of the letter, Arch. Aris Go, we believe we have a task to clarify the nature of our professional relationship with Arch. Go for the reason that the letter alludes to undue influence exerted by his father, Baguio Rep. Marquez Go.  A filial relation is therefore a matter which enables the younger Go to corner certain projects in Baguio, according to the letter sender.

Architect Go’s stint as technical consultant for UP Baguio began in 2012,which was years ahead of his father’s election as Baguio City’s lone representative. His appointment was based on the merits of his qualifications, among which is a Masters degree in Architecture from the University of Sydney.

Our requirement for a qualified and competent consultant stems from the need to formulate a comprehensive master development plan for UP Baguio and we believed then, as we still believe now, that Arch. Go meets these qualifications.

Furthermore, we know that Arch. Go’s heart and commitment is with UP Baguio having been a former student of the institution and an alumnus of the UP College of Architecture.  On this basis, he considers his consultancy as a service to the university manifested in part by his agreement to accept a professional fee which is below the industry’s standard.

Throughout his stint with UP Baguio, he has demonstrated unwavering commitment at seeing through the fruition of the university’s development plans. For this reason, he has our support as much as we have every intention to retain his services until the completion of our earmarked projects.