Teodoro cites solutions to problems in Cordillera

BAGUIO CITY –- Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro enumerated his plans to address some of the problems the Cordillera region is facing.

Speaking to reporters during the closing of Flower Festival here on Sunday, Teodoro said the province should focus on the completion of rehabilitation and project repair from the damage caused by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

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He said the government should ensure easy access in the mountainous ranges in Cordillera especially in the times of calamity.

“Whether or not there is a calamity, good access with inner Cordillera,” he said.

Teodoro said infrastructure and road projects in Cordillera should be a priority to maintain the rich eco-tourism in the province, particularly in Baguio City.

“We should develop once again our competitive advantage in Cordillera which is sustainable eco-tourism but the only problem is access,” he lamented.

To address this, he proposed the improvement of Halsema Highway, which connects Baguio and Sagada.

He noted that by building accessible roads, 50 percent of the problems in Baguio City in relation to business and tourism could be resolved.

Teodoro also said he will not let the Loakan Airport Runway here to be closed since it is the only way to get to Baguio in times of natural disasters.

“It (Loakan Airport) should always be maintained and open. I will not allow closure of Baguio Airport. Why? In case Marcos, Naguilan and Kennon are not usable, Baguio has an airport which is very important,” he said, adding that the airport could accommodate C130 planes that could be used to augment basic supplies in Baguio.

Another thing the province should look into is their capacity to address drought caused by the El Nino phenomenon.

“We need to improve our water catchment facilities here in Cordillera because it affects also the downstream – to Pangasinan even to my province of Tarlac,” the Harvard-trained lawyer said.

On the issue of mining in Cordillera, Teodoro said that in the unique nature of the Philippines, the country “is ecologically sustainable meaning to say it will not place areas at risk”.

He added that he is against open pit mining. “The proponent must return the mined areas in the same condition as they found it.”

The administration bet furthered that the voice of the community should always matter.

“The community must agree, if they do not agree we cannot do anything. It is up to the proponent and with the government to convince the community that it is also ultimately good for them in terms of benefits,” he noted. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)