It is nice to hear at the start of the year, the priority of the local administration is the rehabilitation of the City of Baguio. Information has it that a budget had already been appropriated for this purpose and a plan is already underway to uplift the city from the urban plight it had degenerated into because of overdevelopment. Thank God for this. I think the rehabilitation of our city is long overdue. We really need an urgent action to restore the city to its historical and original state. Of course, this may be hard to accomplish, but with sufficient funding and enough political will, nothing is impossible.
Look at what the Department of Environment and Natural Resources did to Boracay. It shut down the island beach resort, compelled all stakeholders to abide with environmental laws and imposed fines and penalties against erring entities. Boracay regained its pristine condition. Its environment became cleaner, its waters became clearer, and its overall condition is more livable than ever. If this can be done to Boracay, I can see no reason why it can’t be to Baguio. After all, I dare to say that Baguio is a more important destination in the Philippines than Boracay.
First on the list is the construction of cable cars. The plan is to introduce the project from atop Kennon Road up to the foot of Rosario, La Union. This is fine because cable cars are supposed to be as endemic in Baguio as are pine trees. The terrain makes cable cars an ideal mode of public transportation to and from the city. It will relieve and preserve the historic Zigzag road from the wear and tear it has to bear due to the numerous vehicles that habitually come up here during the holidays. Not only that, the operation of cable cars will enhance tourism. It will be the first of its kind in the Philippines as no other place has it. It will be historic.
Second is the improvement of the city market. This is a welcome relief not only for visitors but more importantly for us residents. At its current state, the public market is so cramped up that going there is a burden. It lacks sufficient drainage, has no public parking, reeks of trash and has no provision for delivery bays. There were attempts in the past to re-create the place but it proved insufficient. It remains untidy and disorderly. Hawkers and peddlers continue to plague its alleys. In fact, it was here on a visit that then Sen. Rodolfo Biazon felt so dejected and he said: “Baguio City is an urban blight.” Maybe, he ought to revisit the market after the planned rehabilitation is completed. By then, he will surely change his perception.
Third is the facelift of Burnham Park. That it is included among the places that will be restored. You see, Burnham Park is the heart of the city. It is as ironic as the city itself. Visiting Baguio is never complete without setting foot on the park. But through the years, it has lost its luster. It is time to clean up the place. Yes, there were actual works done to restore it in the past, but these proved to be insufficient. Whatever restorative work that was done in the past was more for political favors than an earnest attempt to beautify the park. It is time to get serious about Burnham Park. It is time its glory years be regained.
Fourth is the restoration of Mines View Park. In case you do not know, Mines View is not really a park. It is more a view deck. It is called Mines View because it is in that shed you can see the various mine sites that operate within the adjoining municipalities of Baguio. Balatoc Mines, Suyoc Mines, Gold Mines, and Philex Mines are just among those that can be viewed from the deck. Ironically, it is slowly but surely losing its identity. Year in and year out, several subdivisions, squatter areas, and high-rise buildings/condominiums have been introduced. These structures block the clear view of the mines. Without any mines to view, what is there to call the place as Mines View Park for? Ah yes, the place remains a favorite tourist destination but only because of the woodcarvings, native clothes, and the delicious ube jams that are produced by the adjoining nuns. But on its own? I do not think people will flock to the place just to see a shed without any much mines view in sight.
These are all that was reported in the rehabilitation plan. I hope there will be more like a public building for parking, more sidewalks, less pollution, wider roads and of course, a better traffic scheme. But for now, whatever rehabilitation plan is in place will be a relief. Rehabilitating Baguio means rehabilitating our daily lives.
May 14, 2024
