Are We Going to Allow These Trees to Disappear?
THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), owner of the vacant lot between the Court of Appeals (CA) and the Baguio Convention Center (BCC), confirmed SM Investments Corporation’s (SMIC) plans of developing the area. read full story here
Measuring about one hectare, the area is classified as an “institutional” zone under the city’s zoning law. An institutional zone is an area where no private development may be conducted. SMIC plans on building a hotel/condominium in this area.
For those readers who are not from Baguio, this is the heavily-wooded lot across UP Baguio and beside the Baguio Convention Center.
Honestly, why doesn’t the Baguio City Government put in a bid to purchase or lease this area and keep it intact as a forest? Or at least a park. Picnic grounds at most, though. How come Baguio officials have no plans of providing more green space for Baguio?
How come we sit back helplessly, protesting, and not do something about it?
It would be unreasonable to just protest if Baguio City were not to counter SMIC’s proposal with something reasonable, in which case SMIC will be the “winner by default.” I really think Baguio, instead of using 400M of the people’s money to ‘develop’ Burnham Park into an amusement park, should just use the money to purchase the Baguio Convention Center and also the adjacent lot to preserve Baguio’s last remaining open spaces.
The problem is, Baguio is using the non-collection of its share from the rental proceeds of Camp John Hay from non-paying lessee Fil-Estate/Camp John Hay Development Corporation as its excuse not to pay GSIS the amounts due on the sale of the Baguio Convention Center.
The amount due on the Baguio Convention Center property last year was just 35M, if I am not mistaken, and yet Baguio refused to pay. But the same politicians tried to slip by us legislation that was to allot 20M for vehicles for themselves.
Then now they expect our local zoning laws to supercede the rights of GSIS to exert ownership over land to which it has title? And you can be sure DENR will allow the cutting down of these trees that the city planted in the 1970s, provided the developer has procured the necessary permits.
The councilors protesting this moves in strong verbal terms are Richard Carino and Lourdes Tabanda. So let us ask them now, “Is that all we are going to do?”
Hi Lisa, not only in this part but I believe a company in EPZA will also soon be putting up a structure within the Camp John Hay area. Little by little, inch by inch, valuable open spaces will be giving way to more structures.
we all know that development is inevitable, but at least as Human beings, who are stewards of this beautiful Earth, we must put also into consideration the future of our children. i am alarmed that amidst the alarming issues on Global Warming, many people yet to understand the consequences of environmental destruction.
I hope that government officials will not only look to what they can gain from their decisions but also to the benefits of the people who have given them such power to decide.
I am really sad that Baguio has losing its glory as a vacation destination because of these developments that are going on, destroying the natural beauty and assets of the city.
If we really love our city, we must move. Maximizing whatever influences we have to protect our city. I challenge you guys, to make a difference not only to yourselves but also to the next generation.
Hi Resty,
Yup I heard that there will actually be two (2) new ‘developments’ in Camp John Hay — a call center for Ayala (got that from one of the CJH lessees in the Scout Hill area), and one for Moog Corporation as an EPZA extension (got that from a participant at the 3rd Baguio PAGASA workshop earlier).
Honestly, we still, TOGETHER with all other concerned residents, put a stop to this if we joined efforts.
We awaken folks in our areas of influence first, come together for a common purpose, and see what we can do to put a stop to at least 800 trees that will be chopped down.
Hello Roj,
I am so with you. If we leave everything up to the government officials, well, their track record has shown they, to a man, have absolutely no concern for the environment nor for their constituents.
So it’s up to the residents to take their roles as stewards of this earth seriously before it’s too late. We really must move — NOW!
Should you be a member of an organization, be it a family or an association, put forth your advocacy before them and start coming up with concrete moves to make Baguio breathe again.
We are just concluding a 3rd Baguio PAGASA so we will be working with a new set of participants, bringing our number up to about 25 persons. We support initiatives that will green Baguio so let us know how we can help you. Or you may want to join our group instead.
Hi Lisa,
I am really alarmed why tree-cutting is being allowed by the government in Baguio City. Isn’t a government agency responsible in making sure that no tree be cut down? Why and how are these deals allowed to happen?
Lisa, let’s do something concrete about this, you are more gifted in coming up with ideas on “how to”. I am appealing to the concerned readers of Lisa’s blog, let’s join hands to help ourselves and our city keep the remaining trees and green areas of Baguio City pristine and intact.
Hi Grace,
This happens because the people in Baguio simply do not care. The like to be blissfully unaware, as if that will make the trees stay. The government know this.
Government agencies, politicians and unscrupulous businessmen must be made to understand that they are accountable to us, that we will fight for the life of every single tree
I was shocked, actually that this post received very few replies. Just goes to show how folks are so disconnected with nature and more concerned with their own lives, not realizing that their success is dependent on the trees.
We must make folks aware so that we can act. But before we act, we must look deeply into ourselves and plan.
For our beautiful Baguio is in grave danger today.
Lisa,
I am shocked and so disappointed at this news.. How did Tagaytay manage to develop their city by building high end condominiums and residential lots while at the same time planting a lot of pine tress… a real lot just to simulate the Baguio atmosphere if not the weather???
This does say something about our people. Is there anyway to stop this??? Baguio residents should panic and run to City Hall and demand answers..
Oh May, we have no pride, you see. No panic either. No caring either. Just the desire to earn a living.
But we are doing something about it. Since the government is not helping (all that posturing and power play when all they want to do is plant concrete structures) a few concerned citizens like us will have to start moving…
Even this blog finds it useless to make suggestions for a better Baguio, only the curfew suggestion was heeded. At least the bloggers got them to stop the issuance of private vehicles. We will have to move on the Burnham Park ‘development,’ we will have to go on an info campaign on the charter.
Oh there’s so much to do!
It’s going to be fun! Will update you guys of course!
NO TREES, NO FORESTS, NO BAGUIO, LET BAGUIO DIE, LET BAGUIO SUFFER, DONT REPLANT, DONT PLANT TREES , JUST PLANT BUIDINGS, PLANT YOUR DESTRUCTION, BAGUIO WILL BE EXTINCT, NO TREES, NO TUBIG WALA ANG TUBIG, WATER NO TREES, LET BAGIOU DIE
If this cutting of trees be allowed, we will be experiencing more shortage of water. The Baguio Water District must make a stand. By informing the residents of Baguio the importance of our eco-system and the importance of trees in the supply of water in the city.
Yes Demetri,
And the cutting down of trees diminishes us to an even greater extent than the lack of water — temperatures rise, the symbiotic relationship of plants, animals, people will be affected, etc.
Let us not wait for others to raise the alarm in our neighborhoods and the city. Let us not expect BWD to do anything for us — they are just in the business of collecting money from the few of us who are lucky to have water in our pipes.
It is we, the residents of Baguio, the citizens of the Philippines who must undertake the education campaign. This cannot wait!
Sometimes, I do not understand Man:
He wants external things (money) at the prize of internal needs (water).
He wants good skin and clean air, but wants to cut down the trees that help with cleaning the air and giving man good skin.
He needs water, but wants to cut down the water-stores (the trees).
What does Man really want? What does Man really need? Which is MORE IMPORTANT?
Hi Marie,
Man actually needs very few things: To eat, drink, sleep, live and learn.
Man does not need to cut down trees to do all that.
In fact, man needs trees to have all that.
Lisa, I saw that plot of land when it was still bare, and then trees were planted when I was a kid and saw them grow into what it is now. I read in the Midland Courier about this planned “development” of the area. This is one of the pocket areas near the city that must be preserved not only for us, but for our children.
We must take action. Let me know how I can be of help.
Hi Nick, and thanks for the offer!
Right now, all I ask is vigilance, plus an awareness campaign to get the folks to OPENLY protest these goings on in the city.
Letters and phone calls to the mayor and other government politicians — a hue and cry must be raised, even louder than the protest on the ‘cars for the councilors’ issue.
These trees are irreplaceable. Of course we can plant in other areas, but the homes and businesses in the denuded areas will have to provide airconditioning soon!
We have allowed too many trees to be felled at Luneta Hill already. ARe we just going to give Henry Sy this property just like that? Considering it is owned by GSIS?
Hi Lisa,
I enjoy reading your articles here. I studied in Baguio (SLU) and left the place right after I graduated because I find it really hard to get a good job there. I really wanted to go back. I miss the place..
Well, I also saw how SM Baguio was built back in 2005 or 2006 I think.. And the sad part is that I also saw how they made all those pine trees fell.
They should not have allowed this to happen but too late.. SM Baguio is like a tourist spot now.
PS
And so is Henry Sy!
Hi Adie,
Yup, it is hard to get a good job in Baguio compared to Manila but the standard of living can go way low that we seem to be attracting so many squatters (free air conditioning of course, plus the opportunity to be an illegal vendor at Burnham Park).
Government policies are not helping, of course. They are designed to make Baguio’s economy rely on the schools — which is totally bad for the environment.
SM has replaced Burnham Park. The government want Burnham Park to compete with SM as an amusement park — wrong attitudes on the part of the politicians, in my opinion.
There are many things we allow to happen. But there are some of us waking up and wanting to do something about it.
We need your help. Please alert everyone!
Thanks.
Chat,
Henry Sy has found a way to get the government to agree to what he wants — like building commercial property over a public road (SM Mega Mall), reclaimed areas like Mall of Asia, and GSIS properties like Taal Vista Lodge in Tagaytay and Luneta Hill in Baguio.
Enough SMs I say. This is not what the Philippines should be about.
Enough is enough! The greediness of these people!…in this case..it is not enough to modify such greediness but to STOP it entirely! I/We need to do something…
These people pushing through the buildings(investors and politicians) wanted to end up like Hyatt Hotel. Diba may fault line sa banda diyan?
And SM..buti they cancelled the plan(rumors) in setting up a 14 stiry condo/hotel. Given the scary quality of SM Baguio(which is literally vibrating!), they’re up to a 14 story bulding. Gusto nilang matulad sa Hyatt hotel talaga.
Hi Lisa, read the following article and it seems the mayor is on a blaming mode again:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/06/02/news/bautista.asks.for.calm.over.sm.gsis.plans.html