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Thursday, April 21, 2005
Espinoza: Pollution threatens Baguio’s splendor
By Elias L. Espinoza
BAGUIO CITY-- A bustling area in the Cordillera Autonomous Region, Baguio is now highly industrialized, says a big advertisement that one sees upon entering the city.
The last time I was here was in May 1986, or 19 years ago. It was after I took the oath for passing the 1985 bar exams. Baguio City has changed enormously. The 1991 earthquake did not stop the city’s progress.
Baguio City, considered the summer capital of the country because of its cool weather, is far more urbanized than what it used to be 19 years ago. Jeepneys and taxicabs now fill the city streets.
However, there’s a downside to rapid progress. Ambulant vendors now crowd Baguio City’s sidewalks and parks. What used to be a leisurely stroll around the city is now horrible and excruciating. Beggars are also everywhere.
It is summer and people from the nearby provinces flock to Baguio to feel its cool and refreshing ambience. This means more people are crowding the parks and the city center.
In addition to these woes, there are smoke-belching jeepneys and taxicabs that run around the
city everyday.
The big sign at the city’s entrance, which says smoke-belching vehicles will be apprehended, did not even avert the pollution problem.
Pollution will harm, if not destroy, Baguio’s beauty and splendor if the City Government or its officials fail to regulate the operation of diesel-fed public utility vehicles.
Baguio City Councilor Federico “Bong” Mandapat Jr., who was my flight mate during the lawyers’ golf tournament at the Baguio Golf and Country Club (BGCC) last Tuesday, lamented the lack of cooperation of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
Mandapat, who is also a lawyer, said the City Government asked the LTFRB for a moratorium on the issuance of certificate of public conveyance (CPC) for PUJs and taxicabs, but the City did not get any favorable response.
The Baguio City chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) is hosting the four-day 10th national convention of lawyers at the Camp John Hay convention center.
Lawyers from Mindanao and the Visayas have converged here in Baguio City for the weeklong conference. I am just one of the participants in the convention, which is held every two years.
The first day of the convention kicked off with a golf tournament last Tuesday. Golfing lawyers from the different chapters in the country joined the tournament.
A tree planting activity, attended by officers of IBP national and Baguio City chapters, was held at 4 p.m. on the same day.
The convention was formally opened at 10 a.m. yesterday at the Camp John Hay convention center, with Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna as guest of honor.
During the golf tournament, my other flight mate was the young Baguio City Assistant City Prosecutor Ramsey Sudaypan. I had a wonderful experience playing at the BGCC. In most cases, those who have the home court advantage win in any tournament. Bong Mandapat won the Class A championship while our very own Glenn Cabanes won the Class B crown.
No offense meant, but the fairways and greens at BGCC are simply not comparable to the golf courses here in Cebu. With Baguio’s weather, I had a calm and cool game even if I made three OBs (out of bounds).
(April 21, 2005 issue)
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