THE Baguio City Council has called on representatives of John Hay Management Corporation and the state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to clarify plans to construct a hospital at the Scout Barrio open field.
Scout Barrio Barangay Captain Manolo LLaneta and concerned residents trooped to the City Council to air their opposition to plans of building a medical facility in the barangay.
LLaneta said the residents have raised concerns of traffic congestion and water shortage if the plans of the JHMC and the BCDA push through.
Concerns over the need to cut down trees to pave the way for the project as well as the lack of parking space were also brought up.
Despite a formal invite from the City Council, no representatives from the JHMC or the BCDA appeared, prompting another invite from the Council set on March 4.
A long standing petition from residents detail the area where the hospital will be built is used for events, campsite for children and schools, and an evacuation site in time of disasters.
The area is also an income generating zone for the barangay as ecological damage is also feared as well as the destruction of the historical significance of the area.
Association of Barangay Captains and Baguio City Councilor Michael Lawana said the opposition is ready.
Lawana said construction of a hospital is a welcome development as health services will be open for all but it should not destroy the open spaces.
Last week, JHMC president and chief executive officer Allan Garcia confirmed in a press conference that three proposals were submitted for the Scout Barrio open field but stressed that not one has been approved.
Garcia said proposals have been received for a hospital project in the area which is part of the titled state-owned property of the BCDA.
The JHMC management also confirmed that soil testing has been conducted in the area, but stressed this does not mean that the project has been approved.