AN IDEA to stop the construction of high rise buildings and condominium in Baguio City was raised to the Senate.
During the Senate hearing spearheaded by Richard Gordon tackling the bill creating a development authority for Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay (BLISTT), Monin Navarro of the Baguio Heritage Foundation Inc. expressed support on the plans, however, pinpointed specific problems faced by the City.
“We have urgent problems in Baguio, iyong over building, kung puwede sana na magkaroon ng building moratorium,” expressed Navarro.
With too much building in the city, Navarro cited the danger it poses to the residents and environment.
Aside from moratorium of buildings, she also cited several problems including the proposed pay parking building in Burnham Park.
Navarro sought the help of Gordon for the preservation of a green park within the Baguio Convention Center owned by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which is being rumored to sell the area to a condominium developer.
Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro of the Regional Development Office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) stated aside from moratorium of buildings, there should be focus on the underlying principle which is the carrying capacity of the city.
“What we are pushing for, there should be a carrying capacity analysis for Baguio and surrounding areas,” says Navarro.
NEDA is waiting for the results of a carrying capacity study which started in 2018 conducted by the office who tapped a consulting firm.
Gordon, meanwhile, said all the concerns and recommendations will be put into consideration.