Problems in Baguio through the eyes of a student

Sunday, February 5, 2012

BAGUIO is a famous tourist destination for local tourists and even with the foreigners for its cool climate and clean and green environment. However, there are problems or concerns other locals and I observed in the city.

Spitting anywhere public is very unhygienic and disgusting. The city must start a strict implementation of the "No Spitting" policy. It is a very unpleasant sight if a person sees spit on the sidewalk or where most people walk. There is a tendency that a person might step on it and spread the germs even on floors of a school, workplace or even at home. People who spit should do their spitting in rest room's urinals then flush it. This is one thing that tourists will notice and will find it very unsanitary. Locals or non-locals who also chew betel nut must refrain spitting on the ground, streets or anywhere public because a red discoloration will be very obvious on the surface.

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The city should do something with the beggars around the city. Like the disabled for example, the city can provide them with some sort of livelihood so that they can be more productive with their lives. It would be a win-win situation because the products they will make will be both beneficial to the disabled and to the city's economy. For Baguio beggars that need help, officials should direct them to DSWD to rehabilitate them, most especially for those who need mental help. These people can later join the disabled to do a livelihood to start their lives anew. Also, those people who sell their products on sidewalks and overpass should be relocated or prohibited because it occupies the space for walking.

There are people who litters or throws away their garbage such as candy wrappers, plastic cups, coffee cups and the like on the market, parks, sidewalks, overpass, etc. There must be a strict implementation of the "No Littering" policy so that the City will look cleaner and will discipline the people. It seems that garbage bins should be present, say every corner, to be convenient and remind people to throw their trash properly. They must care for the city and environment. I just think that the city lacks garbage bins.

Some buildings in the city need architectural renovation. This is one way of attracting tourists. There are many great artists in Baguio City who can contribute to the tourism industry of Baguio by making them work on artistic sculptures or carvings and maybe display or put their masterpieces on parks, malls and the like. Some tiles in Session Road seem to rise from the ground which tends to trip people walking in those areas. Those tiles should be fixed. The gas fumes, mostly from jeeps, are foul on the nose. There is a tendency that the black soot will coat a building's wall giving it a dark discoloration. Building owners should also clean their building walls semi-annually so that City buildings will look neat even on the outside.

Vandalism must be prohibited because it does not look clean once someone spray painted or wrote something on walls of a building, public rest rooms and the like. Unless a freedom wall is provided, it could be the only solution for people who can't stop writing ghetto letters, expressing their feelings or showcasing their art.

According to some old folks I know, Baguio city was very clean and was surrounded with a lot of trees; less crime and population; little air pollution, and safe. I hope that one day the city will be as those descriptions the old folks have mentioned soon because it sounds like the city would be a better and inviting place to relax and go around. (Immer Ross Orduña)