Goodbye Baguio Convention Center
June 16, 2009 by lisa
Filed under featured, government & politics
“Have you seen Baguio lately?”
This was a question one of my UP Law classmates asked another friend of ours at Gilbert Teodoro’s birthday bash at The Fort last Saturday night (yup, the Department of National Defense Secretary and I were blockmates in law school — and even then we knew he was planning to run for President of the Philippines one day). The commenter was upset and aghast. Everyone my age has uber-wonderful memories of the City of Pines. We all knew Baguio when it smelled like Baguio!
We were all busy updating each other on the happenings in our lives and there was much interest in my life as webmaster, and in the current events in Baguio City. And boy was I on the defensive when it came to the current physical, environmental and spiritual state Baguio is in right now — like our beautiful city has deteriorated so much and I felt so responsible because everything bad has been happening under my watch.
So how do I explain to everyone now how Henry Sy & GSIS are kicking Baguio out from our very own Convention Center?
Yup. You heard right.
Remember how our wonderfully “competent” mayor told us “not to panic” because the deal was not yet done? And how he blamed us for neglecting those pine trees beside the Baguio Convention Center? Remember how we were raising the issue of almost 1000 trees that were to be cut to make way for SM Prime Holdings to build a convention hotel and take over Baguio Convention Center?
We, folks, thanks to our wonderfully “compentent, responsive, sensitive, and selfless” reelectionist local government officials, who — intentionally — defaulted on making payments to buy the Baguio Convention Center from GSIS, we are now asked to vacate the historic Karpov-Korchnoi building.
‘Pardon the French pero. ‘tang ‘na naman, hindi nila binayaran ang 35 million kasi di daw nagbayad ang Camp John Hay ng upa (doon lang ba kaya kumuha ng pambayad kasi?) pero kaya naman magbayad ng 60M para itapon lang ang ilang basura sa Tarlac ng ilang buwan last year, at kaya mag-legislate ng 1 billion 2009 budget na alam naman nating ay sobrang gatong…
And at the time the city defaulted on its 35M installment for Baguio Convention Center, it was around the same time the councilors were trying to slip legislation allotting 20M to buy themselves cars!!!
Even when he uttered that quotable quote, Bautista KNEW that the deal was done. Otherwise why would he blame us for neglecting the trees, using that as an excuse that we did not care about them? Thinking us too naive to notice how he was laying the groundwork for the government’s “sellout” of the Baguio Convention Center.
I must remind you that I actually went there and took photos of a fenced-in grove of trees — with barbed wire, cement and metal that send the message “do not tresspass.”
Baguio’s only defense at this point is for the “City Planning and Development Office denied SMIC’s application for zoning clearance, a requisite before a building permit can be issued.”
Then there’s the GSIS claiming that that ordinance must be set aside because it “deprives GSIS of the use and enjoyment of their property.”
Um, GSIS people, you are a corporation owned by the Filipino people. The land is thus owned by the Filipino people. And all you want to do is get rent money from Henry Sy who happens to rent or purchase every property that government corporation owns — like Tall Vista Lodge in Tagaytay, or the reclaimed area on Manila Bay where Mall of Asia stands, and of course Luneta Hill were Pines Hotel used to stand and is now an SM City Baguio towering over the whole of the city.
So now you want the Baguio people to be deprived of all the benefit the badly-needed clean air and rain those trees provide us so that we can have another concrete hotel in one of the prime spots in the city?
So now you are saying that it is more important for Henry Sy to be handed another property that is supposedly owned by the people of the Philippines on a silver platter?
But this takes the cake — Vice-Mayor Farinas welcomes the GSIS move trying to set aside our ordinance! O, di ba?
This highly quotable person, the sidekick vice-mayor, Danny Farinas (who also works for the mayor’s family business, by the way), is actually happy about the case filed by GSIS against the city, praying that the court “declare the Zoning Ordinance void from the beginning and for being ultra vires or something beyond the legal capacity of a person, company, or other legal entity.”
The news article avers that “Daniel Fariñas said the move of the GSIS is a welcome development as this would put to rest the debate on whether to allow development of the area or not.”
Wow!
So honestly, this government is just too happy to hand the property over to Henry Sy!
I wonder if they are going to bring up, in defense of Baguio City, Isabelo Cosalan’s finding that the GSIS title overlaps with an Original Certificate of Title issued to the Republic of the Philippines?
How ba did GSIS come to OWN that property in the first place?
Correct me if I am wrong but wasn’t that property part of the UP Baguio campus that Imelda Marcos appropriated for the convention center and eventually was titled to GSIS which is an INSURANCE SYSTEM that manages to be deeded prime government land every time? Whose chairman or president is always appointed by the President of the Philippines, and which is an entity that no one really can control because it is a monster of a government corporation?
Isn’t there something so wrong with the system here?
Or am I the only one protesting?
Why can’t Baguio BUY that property for Baguio?
Why is our local government pretending to be so helpless? What’s in it for the mayor, vice-mayor, concilors and congressman for Henry Sy to own the Baguio Convention Center?
If the point is money, come on, we have the money!!!
How come the local government is pretending that the ordinance is the only shield (a weak shield it is too and they know it — or is this deliberate?)
How come the exact terms of the contract between Henry Sy and GSIS is not revealed to the people? Is the city privy to these terms? Are we not going to fight for the use of the land?
I have to ask again, how come Baguio City, which already had a contract to purchase the land stopped paying? Who decided to do that?
I’m sure the our local government officials already knew about the existence of the deal between GSIS and Henry Sy when they defaulted on the purchase of the Baguio Convention Center, as these negotiations do not happen overnight. So what made them default when the city coffers are so not empty?
It is my opinion that Henry Sy would not be interested in the property beside Baguio Convention Center if he could not also have the convention center itself.
This is why I think the city council deliberately defaulted on the installments so that the city would lose the right to purchase the property so Henry Sy could have both the convention center and the lot beside it.
And while we’re at it, how come I cannot cut the trees on my property without being penalized heavily for it and Henry Sy can cut hundreds of them just like that?
Why do I feel this issue is so important?
Because of those pine trees we saw grow from the time they were saplings. We need that spot of green so badly!
Because Baguio should have and maintain its own convention center so that locals can afford to hold meetings and shows there. We can spend to fix it up hopefully but if we give up the convention center, what other affordable multi-purpose hall can the residents use?
Because we should stop Henry Sy from SM-izing Baguio City. When SM came, it killed a lot of homegrown businesses, and a lot of our rustic charm disappeared. Just look at that part of Luneta Hill facing Sunshine Park, that building that houses a call center. Can you honestly say that that nondescript building made of steel, cement and glass enhances the city?
Because Peter Rey is planning to spend taxpayers’ money for a streetcar or tram that will merely service SM City and the planned condotel and convention center. If this GSIS deal with its hush-hush terms pushes through despite our protests, I certainly will resent the fact that Henry Sy will benefit further from the tram using MY money and he does not have to spend for it.
Honestly, are you guys just trying to wear us out?
Everyday that Mayor Basura is unable to collect our garbage is an assault on the spirit of the Baguio people.
Every time Domagan and Vergara ink a deal giving a behemoth like SM a 5-year moratorium on business taxes while we small businessmen are charged through the roof for decades, it is an assault on the spirit of the Baguio people.
Mauricio Domogan and Bernardo Vergara were then Congressman and Mayor of Baguio City — or was it the other way around because they switched posts to stay in power longer — they actually gave up millions in income for Baguio City in exchange for … well, let’s put it this way, that moratorium was granted on election year…
Every time you tasteless people in the local government erect a public outhouse in all our tourist attractions that have Php5.00 “ihi” and Php10.00 “t*e,” it is an assault.
When influential people are allowed to build hotels on forestry lands that they eventually are given private title to, that is an assault on the spirit of the Baguio people.
When trees are cut on Leonard Wood Road (M. Roxas barangay) with a permit to build a store but really it was going to be a gas station with a permit issued by St Joseph Village barangay that KNOWS the property is not within its jurisdiction and NOTHING is done about it and NO ONE is held accountable for the anomaly, it is an assault on the spirit of the city.
When councilors protect illegal peddlers in exchange for future votes, and when the illegal sale of pirated DVDS abound out in the open on Session Road, the message sent to the people is that “anything goes in Baguio City and let’s all wreak some havoc!”
When the government stands by and allows young frat punks to vandalize and terrorize the city, or fail to provide peace and security from sungkit gangs or drunken brawlers, or pickpockets, it is an assault on the spirit of the people.
And this decay is visible in the faces and demeanor of the populace.
Honestly, do you see still smiling faces around these days?
Baguio used to be all smiles.
The local government it seems is dead set on wiping even the smiles away.
We just...
You hit it right on the head, Lisa. That area and Burnham are on ‘intentional neglect,’ so whatever hidden agenda will be more palatable to people. I’m resigned to the f**k that Baguio is going down the drain. Thanks to them! HEy, and I’m not even mad anymore.
are you ready for people power as we will take a legal battle to protect our green? ask sorroptomist how to help. you may drop my name if you want.
no!!! how could this be?? how can they just turn a blind eye?? without greens Baguio will slowly die : ( how can henry sy sleep well at night knowing what he has done to nature and what he is about to do again
Hiya Resty,
I am tired of being angry. I wanted to be all-Filipino this June — Jose Rizal, People Power, a revolution of self-determination, “change politics”… but these greedy people in power, boy, just running a 20,000-strong diploma mill that shortchanges its students for all they pay is such a sin, but now depriving 300,000+ residents and the rest of the Filipino people of the Baguio Convention Center is such a crime.
I am campaigning not only for my bets next year, but even against these people. Geez, I hope they get what they deserve. Right now all I have for them is contempt.
Hi Alan,
Welcome to Baguio Insider.
Just name the time and place, let us know what support you need for this particular issue — all my resources are at your disposal…
Hi again Andrew,
They can turn a blind eye while filling up their personal pockets I suppose. Henry Sy has never cared about anything other than money, judging from his knack of turning prime government property into leasable real estate that only HE will benefit from.
He pays taxes in Cavite, which is for him the friendliest BIR office of them all. He manages to “convince” people like Domogan and Vergara not to charge him with business taxes.
You know how it goes…
This is what we get by allowing politics spread its dirty little fingers into the realm of economics.
And come to think of it, they are not merely turning a blind eye — our local government officials are in on the conspiracy!!!
MY ADVICE TO ALL:
TELL THE STORY OF THE RAPE OF BAGUIO TO ALL WHO CARE TO LISTEN, LET US AWAKEN EVERYBODY FROM THEIR APATHETIC SLEEP, AND LET’S MARCH TO CITY HALL AND THE COURTS WHEN WE HEAR THE CALL.
WE ARE NOT HELPLESS OF WE ARE UNITED AGAINST THE BAD PEOPLE. AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE GOOD PEOPLE THAN THERE ARE BAD IN BAGUIO CITY.
Turning that forested area into a mere condo complex is despicable.
I agree Dion,
And Henry Sy will not even use his own money for this purpose — we have to remind folks that a condotel (like the Camp John Hay Manor) is built using investors money who are promised a return or share of the income MINUS everything the management company, which is also usually the builder, claims as deductions for expenses.
And guess what, the income tax from the condotel will not even go to Baguio because SM pays its taxes to the friendly BIR in Cavite!
Lisa, the Phil Inquirer just ran a three-part series on Baguio’s battling its urban decay. The last one was entitled, “Baguio City’s renewal rests on its uniqueness.” How true. Here we are trying hard to imitate what is being done in other places when we should instead be holding on to our strengths: our natural environment, our parks, our watersheds. I seem to feel that our leaders want Baguio to be like Greenbelt Park, Eastwood, etc. places for ‘gimikan’ and ‘borloloyan.’ If people don’t like to come up to Baguio because there’s “nothing to do” so be it. Let them go to other places.
It’s too obvious that “almighty cash” is behind these kinds of deal. Politics has it that everytime elections near, one has to plant the seeds to prepare for harvest time and use the fruits to run a campaign. Some may want to pursue their furtherance and some may opt not to run, who cares, they got their cut anyway. History again reminds us, let us not be fooled again.
SM truly has an entrepreneuring vision worth applauding for. They provide taxable income, employs thousands, and imbues the enterprising spirit within the Filipino culture. But cutting innocent trees and erecting mammoth cement edifices in its place, is’nt entrepreneuring. It should withdraw its plans of expanding it’s complex as a sign of its entrepreneuring cause. The Baguio Convention is a part of Baguio’s rich heritage, a land mark. Handing it in a silver platter to SM holdings is rude, and an insult to the people of Baguio.
I was supposed to post something here about my July 16, 2009 plans to go to City Hall to submit letters reminding them of Baguio’s patrimony, but somehow my message couldn’t get through the comments section somehow.
Hiya Resty,
I read that too.
You see, with “gimikan” we attract budget tourists. Baguio used to be such a classy place that we would get busloads of foreigners, we used to get the rich people from Manila.
The way we “provincianos” up here are trying so desperately to do a “highly urbanized city” drama because that is what all provincianos aspire for (not realizing that there is no charm in concrete) is causing all this deterioration. Just look at the structures we are building, all wanting to stand out and not blend with our beautiful natural environment. This is why I insist that Baguio can still be saved, but we must clear up all the clutter.
Our visitors are not the problem. It is our attitude that is the problem.
Our problem also is that we are doing nothing to battle the urban decay. We actually think this is progress. Sigh…
Hiya barsi05,
You noticed that Henry Sy makes his moves each time our politicians are running for reelection, too?
Hi Dion,
Email them to gobaguio(at)gmail(dot)com as attachments if you like. I will publish them here. Thanks
Oh my…I love Baguio City much more than my hometown of Batangas and Bataan…and if there will be any movement to oppose that “DONE DEAL”, count me in! . . .and as the World Health Organization warns Manila of a possible 7.8 magnitude quake, it may not be the Marikina Faultline, but the Baguio City faultline named PETER REY BAUTISTA…threatening our beloved City of Pines to turn ito a rubble again!
Last time I went here was around 2003. Baguio is a very fabo city rich in culture and nature.
do check out my site sometime.
I hate to see my hometown slowly deteriorating because of poor governance (* as if this is new nowadays) and greediness (*both power and money).. I still remember the old days when we had fun strolling around session road (*more like elegant strip of stores unlike “tiangge” type) or camp john hay (*free of any charge) and smell the cool fresh air.. I still wondered if Jun Labo was the mayor.. he has so many plans for the city like cable car and floating restaurant in burnham lake, etc.. hay… if we just could turn back time..
HI Lisa,
I am so amazed how you put your thoughts into words, into… a very highly opinionated write-up on Baguio among other issues. I congratulate you on how you have assessed and will continue to know our stand in Baguio… what struck me most was how you addressed the “assault” on the Spirit of Baguio City… hidden agenda and all the mere display of fake leaders abounding the city in “Conspiracy” involving both the public/ government and private sectors…while we are simply moving on to our daily basis of survival in this so called “Summer”tourist capital and destination in the Philippines.
Marami sana ang makapag relate at magbasa ng eye-opening write-ups mo since all media personalities must be geared to realize not just idolize our incumbent city elected and even local government personnel who are paid to do their task to plan for our city and not be-set a prototype of “SM-izing” concept in developing Baguio.
So much money goes through budget deliberation but are still passed on for confirmation despite some crucial departmental justification towards every end of the fiscal year because they are not even careful to check priority needs for this city to survive the pangs of deliberate mis use of all kinds of resources and potentials the city has.
I suggest Lisa if you can run for City Council this 2010 and i will be supporting your views… I love Baguio… the old Baguio before 1990 earthquake… we can make Baguio a better place… sabi nga ni Michael Jackson for the entire human race.(see mga known media men ang nagbabasa ng articles mo and i won’t be surprised if soon you will be running for good office)tapatan or samahan mo si pinky, elaine at lulu…
Hiya Lalaine!
Hay naku, I guess one of the reasons it is important for this blog to continue, despite its being the “bearer of bad news” is that BAGUIO INSIDER CHRONICLES THE PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR of our public officials, because to my knowledge no one else is.
Hi Mary,
When I started by travel website for Baguio City, it was 2003 and I was still calling it my virtual heaven on earth. The bad taste and bad behavior has accelerated in the past years.
But there were already the seeds of destruction planted even before 2003 by our government officials who granted SM City dominion over Baguio, who entered into questionable parking contracts, who planned that awful unnecessary flyover, who started this pattern of uglification.
We wil turn things around, I am sure the people of Baguio will find their voice get out of the survival mode they have been thrust into one of these days.
Hi Menchie,
When Jun Labo ran last he had commercials about how Baguio was during his term. The thing is, he just usually runs a half-baked campaign and folks say “it is just a ploy to get donations but nothing ever happens.”
It does not have to take Jun Labo. We need a team of candidates who actually have a plan for the city, not mere promises. The campaign has to be on the basis of principles, not personalities.
Hi Charlie,
One way the readers of this blog can help right now, is SPREAD THE WORD, to awaken the populace to the systematic degradation of the city. Then we ask ourselves what we can do in our little way to make it beautiful again.
But no, I will not run for public office.
I am wanting though to find a team of noble Baguio residents and together with them (plus a whole battalion of supporters) come up with a plan to bring Baguio back to “virtual heaven on earth” status, get them elected into office, and then, AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN WATCHDOG, make sure my team follows the plan we co-created, without fear or favor.
My deepest desire at this point is to do that …
Hi Lisa….we all have that desire to bring back the old glory days of Baguio..and this blog is a vital instrument in spreading that noble cause. Maybe it’s a big undertaking but hey!…you can start in your own little way and then radiate…let others follow.
Whats wrong with these people why not develop Kayang and even the whole market area for these purposes,they can build high rise residential condos as well as malls and convention center there, and in the process removing dilapidated buildings (an eyesore actually) in the market area without expanding the city’s commercial area and mowing trees just to satisfy their greed. A beautiful well maintained eco friendly and green market with lots of rooftop trees which is now a world wide trend in building constructions can be a real attraction to local and foreign tourist.These areas I believe are public lands and most of the buildings there are on lease from the government and their lease expired already many years back.So why the city government is not offering this to Henry Sy as an alternative to GSIS propery,if they really want to develop the market area and the whole Baguio downtown which is always on their agenda or is it?. This could be more expensive and laborious process but in the end I believe is a win win solution.
Hi Lalaine,
We WILL get our Baguio back — folks just have to stop pretending they are happy living here and demanding more from the people they are paying good money to: the schools, the government. We have to wake everybody up, and introduce to the them smell the beautiful scent of the pine trees.
Hi Ed,
I do not know if the people occupying Kayang and all the land behind the Baguio City market have managed to get the propety titled in their name — this is a huge problem in the city (i.e. everyone getting public land titled in their names).
The government it seems WANTS Henry Sy to take over the Baguio Convention Center. There is something so wrong with the minds and the hearts of our local government officials. There’s something wrong with a city that keeps electing the greediest people into office.
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for the insight on the general state of Baguio, it is a sad commentary of our times when the people that were elected to look after the interest of the City have reneged on their duties and their moral responsibility and have forsaken integrity and honesty for greed.
It is nice to know that you are one of the beacons of hope and have taken the responsibility to shoulder this enormous burden on your back to look out for the best interest of Baguio.
I wish you the best of luck and my heart bleeds for Baguio.
The casino, the trash problem, and now this? What the hell is that poor excuse for a mayor of Baguio doing? Is this the a compilation of “Bautista’s Ugliest Hits”? Hay Apo! Awanen ti fine tree! This is what happens when their is no harmony with the citizens, in the city officials way of thinking. All they ever consider is the “special interest” groups. Let’s be honest with the present situation, basta pera “tadan!” city officials (not all) will come crawling out of the woodwork.” Mga possessed with the evil spirit of greed tong mga idiota na homo sapiens na ito. Pardon the latin. I yearn for the better and simpler times, but I guess they are for not when these type of people are here and hold all the cards.
KEEP BAGUIO GREEN!!
http://www.flickr.com
CHECK OUT THE BUMPER STICKER DESIGN YOU INSPIRED.
TYPE “KEEP BAGUIO GREEN” ON THE SEARCH BOX.
@ Hoy! so where can we get the sticker?
drop everything. Now time to harmonize. I am not just saying this but i want this done – Let us all set a time and place for a meeting. It is time to put a stop to this nonsense taking place in our dear City of Baguio. I am tired of blogging and FB (although it does help ventilate). Tis time not now sit and work together as ONE for the sake of our dear City. Forget your interests and personal amobitions. Let us do this for the City and nothing else or we all go down in a landslide of filth. I am ready. Are you?
Bravo Lisa, My heart bleeds too for what is happening to dear old Baguio which is a real No place like it. For us who kept quiet and cry silently, it is because we cannot write or speak as good as you do and it is not we don’t care. The Athletic Bowl Issue made it too much to bear so I joined in and for the first time, I don’t mind if I will be called a “radical” or “activist.” Thanks to you and to those who made us see what is really happening on our City for the benefits of the few. Enough! God Bless the City of Pines. Can we share this article in our wallposts?