PINECONE

OPEN SPACES IN BAGUIO’S URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Arch. Sheree Nolasco

BAGUIO SANS TREES

MOTHER EARTH CAUSA NOSTRATes Choa

For your ad needs contact Telephone nos: (074) 443-5328 /0928-385-5611 Email: pinecone@yahoo.com Website: pinecone.com

by : Maribel G. Ongpin (miongpin@yahoo.com)

PINECONETHE BAGUIO

This is a report on the Round Table Discussion that took place at the University of the Philippines, Baguio, on the topic of Baguio pine trees under siege. The Pine Cone Movement (disclosure: newly organized envi- ronmental and governance NGO in Baguio of which I am the Chair) which initiated the discussion has been alarmed together with many Baguio residents and other NGO’s in the area by the number of dead pine trees in the city, felled by the ips calligraphus, an engraver beetle that attacks the inner bark of the pine tree until it dies. Dr. Horacio San Valentin of ERDA-DENR based at UP Los Baños made a presentation of the ips calligraphus problem, tracing its appearance in the country to having been harbored in the wooden crates that brought in American goods at the turn of the century (Philippine-American War, American Occupation of the Philippines, etc.). These crates went all over the archipelago but the ips found only one agreeable habitat in the country—in the Baguio pine tree i.e. pinus kesiya. Its existence was officially acknowledged only in 1956 when multiple pine trees were affected and logging companies were taking note of their destruction. . Dr. San Valentin firmly believes that there is no epidemic infestation of ips beetles in Baguio City even though there are some casualties that are obvious and distressing. He noted that in the north of Baguio, Cordillera country, the pine tree stands are healthy and impervious to ips. In Baguio, many pine trees are vulnerable because of stress from their maltreatment by the density and ignorance of human population. So, the narrative is simple – treat pine trees with love and they will be happy and healthy. As previously stated forms of maltreatment are abusive cutting of branches, interference with their root system by competing growth near or on it, use of cement (which is poisonous to trees) to cover their root system, burning near the tree, introducing alien and toxic fluids near it as well as piling non-recyclable material on top (usually of plastic in some form or other). Another consideration is that in times of drought, pine trees are under stress which should be alleviated by deep watering (watering that gets down to its root system). Another panelist was Sheree Nolasco, an Urban Planner/Bio-Environmentalist. This may sound complicated but it is necessary to have such individuals to link biodiversity with how we treat our environment, to explain the do’s and don’t’s of human interaction with the environment. They have spent the past few years doing grassroots work in the mountains around Baguio City, in the urban area and in schools. Education and instruction is their work and they have tackled the ips issue with pine trees. They have perfected some measures to prevent ips infestation using pheromones to attract the beetles and trap them before they manage to intrude into the inner bark. They have other preventive measures which we are going to put in a pamphlet for public distribution in due time. The third panelist was Regional Director Clarence Ba-guilat who bluntly said it was humans, when asked what ailed

t h e B a g u i o p i n e t r e e s . D i r e c t o r B a g u i l a t acknowledged the menace of ips but logically said that ips could not threaten healthy trees, only stressed and abused ones. The Cordillera DENR is ready to help when requested regarding ips infestation, keeping pine trees healthy and control measures as they do have some experts on this matter.The obvious conclusion from the discussion is that an information and education drive

regarding Baguio pine trees as well as other environmental factors must be mounted to get everyone aware and convinced that they can do their part to help. There was an audience of more than 50 persons including journalists, faculty and students of UP Baguio lead by Chancellor Raymundo Rovillos who kindly hosted the discussion, other NGOs, students, nuns, Manila visitors, DENR staff and officers and actually some candidates running for local office who came to listen. Dr. San Valentin had foresters with him, they had just come from the Cordillera and asserted as to the healthiness of pine trees outside Baguio City. The Open Forum was quite lively with many questions directed at Regional Director Baguilat who had to explain land use, public land issues and other related questions aside from the pine tree subject. The SM tree issue was hardly touched. The decision from the Regional Trial

Court for SM to proceed has been appealed. But it was noted that so far nothing has proceeded as to construction in the SM area. We can only speculate but it would seem that the hue and cry that the attempted and realized tree-cutting has given everyone pause. What was clear from the attendance of a wide spectrum of Baguio residents and even visitors is that the topic is of much interest and concern which augurs well. Early in the day the RPN radio network carried a half an hour discussion of the reasons for the Round Table Discussion initiated by the Pine Cone Movement. The Baguio public has been speaking up and consolidating their awareness and concern for their unique environment. . As Dr. San Valentin said, it is only in the Cordillera that there are pine trees in this country (the ones in Lanao were transplanted there from the Cordillera but are not self-generating like the ones in Baguio). He emphasized that pine trees were the gift of Providence to this country and should be honored and cherished as providential.

OPEN SPACES FOR BAGUIO’SURBAN DEVELOPMENT

With the looming problems of urban sprawl, decay and the growing population of Baguio City, creating solu- tions is a race against time and development. Writing about it would perhaps help open great minds to join us and create a pool of experts to help facilitate the objectives of our causes to effect change. More importantly influence and enforce political will. With the need to collaborate with various services to complete a comprehensive plan, not one person can own up to an urban solution nor perfect a design. To address the complex problems that go with it requires expertise in analyzing the supply and demand of basic services, not excluding diverse bio-diversity in parks and the communities that has proven to be vital to sustaining public health and the present informal settlers we cannot just ignore and brand as non-existent. They all play a vital role must consider as inclusions to the CLUP. Today, let us talk about open space in an urban development. Our first discussion would help us understand the meaning of parks, playgrounds, greens and open spaces to better plan our own communities. HLURB guideline for subdivision development follows a 70-30 percent development ratio. 70 percent representing total buildable spaces and 30 percent open spaces that include roads and playground. With urban development however, international standards do not include roads, sidewalks, parking lots, mall spaces, patio parks and enclosed open spaces as the “open space”. Open spaces to be more specific would mean being able to look up into the sky unimpeded in a diverse natural environment. Studies show that a mere 5 minute walk to the nearest park from work or residence has decreased the percentage of mortality and morbidity rates in a given community, be it in an urbanized or rural area. In another research the ideal accessibility to an open park would be 1 to 3 kilometers from work or resi-

dence. Significantly, another study proves that open spaces and parks with complex bio-diversity also increases health benefits especially for the elders and the sick. Green living does not just mean maintaining flower patches and some greenery but more the quality of diverse vegetation that really matters; a lake with fishes; literally the presence of birds and bee;, the insects and bugs that completes the cycle of nature. Thus, a park with paved walkways, boxed flower gardens and street hawkers in every corner cannot compare to the health benefits of an untouched forest park with just a few benches to rest a weary mind or perhaps a moment to enjoy a good read. How are we the constituents of Baguio even able to achieve the “ideal park” for each Barangay and the City of Baguio with mental and physical health in mind? We talk about leasing spaces in Burnham to generate income for the City, tantamount to exchanging comfort for money. Public health has never been so lacking, how can our public officials miss this glaring need of the people?Perhaps we should ask the city officials once again explain to us what exactly their priorities are: raising income or saving the only park we have in the heart of Baguio? Preserving historical monuments or selling these properties to potential investors? Pleasing business entrepreneurs with wider streets or providing wider sidewalks for the greater majority? Listing priorities should be the first order in an already urbanized area in consideration too the supply and demand of basic services.

by: Sheree M. Nolasco

PINE TREES UNDERSIEGE IN BAGUIO CITY

AMBIENT VOICESMa. Isabel Ongpin

Volume1Number1April2013

BaguioCity’sEnvironmentalNewspaper

PINE TREESUNDER SIEGEin Baguio City

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With the looming problems of urban sprawl, decay and the growing population of Baguio City, creating solu-

tions is a race against time and development. Writing about it would perhaps help open great minds to join us and

create a pool of experts to help facilitate the objectives of our causes to effect change. More importantly influence

and enforce political will.

With the need to collaborate with various services to complete a comprehensive plan, not one person can own up

to an urban solution nor perfect a design. To address the complex problems that go with it requires expertise in

analyzing the supply and demand of basic services, not excluding diverse bio-diversity in parks and the communi-

ties that has proven to be vital to sustaining public health and the present informal settlers we cannot just ignore

and brand as non-existent. They all play a vital role must consider as inclusions to the CLUP.

Today, let us talk about open space in an urban development. Our first discussion would help us understand the

meaning of parks, playgrounds, greens and open spaces to better plan our own communities. HLURB guideline

for subdivision development follows a 70-30 percent development ratio. 70 percent representing total buildable

spaces and 30 percent open spaces that include roads and playground. With urban development however, interna-

tional standards do not include roads, sidewalks, parking lots, mall spaces, patio parks and enclosed open spaces

as the “open space”. Open spaces to be more specific would mean being able to look up into the sky unimpeded in

a diverse natural environment. Studies show that a mere 5 minute walk to the nearest park from work or residence

has decreased the percentage of mortality and morbidity rates in a given community, be it in an urbanized or rural

area. In another research the ideal accessibility to an open park would be 1 to 3 kilometers from work or residence.

Significantly, another study proves that open spaces and parks with complex bio-diversity also increases health

benefits especially for the elders and the sick. Green living does not just mean maintaining flower patches and

some greenery but more the quality of diverse vegetation that really matters; a lake with fishes; literally the pres-

ence of birds and bee;, the insects and bugs that completes the cycle of nature. Thus, a park with paved walkways,

boxed flower gardens and street hawkers in every corner cannot compare to the health benefits of an untouched

forest park with just a few benches to rest a weary mind or perhaps a moment to enjoy a good read.

How are we the constituents of Baguio even able to achieve the “ideal park” for each Barangay and the City of

Baguio with mental and physical health in mind? We talk about leasing spaces in Burnham to generate income for

the City, tantamount to exchanging comfort for money. Public health has never been so lacking, how can our pub-

lic officials miss this glaring need of the people?

Perhaps we should ask the city officials once again explain to us what exactly their priorities are: raising income

or saving the only park we have in the heart of Baguio? Preserving historical monuments or selling these proper-

ties to potential investors? Pleasing business entrepreneurs with wider streets or providing wider sidewalks for

the greater majority? Listing priorities should be the first order in an already urbanized area in consideration too

the supply and demand of basic services.

The Baguio Pine Cone

Baguio City

Contact Numbers: (074) 443-5328 / 0928-3855611

Email: pinecone@yahoo.com

Website: pinecone.com

Can we bring the old Baguio back?

EDITORIAL

Baguio to face water crisis by 2025

The diminishing water supply is what stakeholders and experts identified as

one of Baguio City’s major problems.

Both the business community and a recent joint study of World Wildlife Fund-

BPI Foundation showed Baguio city would not sustain its growth economically

without enough resources, particularly water, with a projection of the biggest

water deficit in the country outside of Metro Manila by 2025.

Baguio-Benguet Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Marciano

Garcia, in a recent Philippine Economic Briefing held at Baguio Country Club,

said authorities need to address the unstable water supply in order for business to

flourish in the Summer Capital.

He claimed the Baguio Water District only supplies 25 percent of the current

needs of residents while businesses experience water rationing conducted by the

water distributor for only a few hours a day. Other barangays, he said, do not

enjoy daily water supply and are only supplied three times a week. The WWF-

BPI’s Business Risk Assessment and Management of Climate Change Impacts

study also showed out of the six identified watersheds, two have already been

rendered inoperable due to the unregulated influx of informal settlers.

The study revealed, utilizing groundwater pumped from the city’s six aquifers,

despite a 40 percent systems loss, renders the current supply of 50,000 cubic

meters inadequate to meet the weekday demand of 30,000 cubic meters daily.

On weekends, this insatiable thirst for water becomes more drastic

as it increases to 80,000 cubic meters.

“In five years, [water demand] is expected to exceed 100,000 CMD

on weekends. By 2025, Baguio City will likely have the largest water

deficit outside Metro-Manila,” the study revealed.

World Wildlife Fund executive director Jose Lorenzo Tan sug-

gested for the city to tap rain water as a major source of water supply

since Baguio is expected to get a significant amount of rainfall due to

climate change.

“The problem with Baguio, the water from rainfall is not utilized

efficiently with most of it going underground and are run-off in tribu-

taries which is harder to tap and use,” he said.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan agrees this is indeed one of the pressing

problems of the city. The mayor said however this is not the city’s

problem alone.

According to the mayor he called a meeting with other towns comprising

BLISTT to identify areas where the bulk water supply comes from as this

should be declared as watersheds to protect future supplies from decreasing.

Since the 1990s, he claimed the city has been signatory to agreement with

BLISTT towns to identify these potable water sources wherever they are

located. .

This however should be in accordance with conditions communities of these

water sources should be served first; water dues should be paid to local govern-

ment units where these water sources are located; and surplus water will be

given to adjoining communities.

He claimed the water sources of the city remain 75 percent from ground wa-

ter, 20 percent from the Buyog and Busol watersheds while the remaining 5

percent comes from Sto. Tomas catch basin. But this supply he said is not

enough as several barangays are still availing of water delivery services costing

more than P120 per delivery, which he said is too much.

He also expressed disappointment on the failed sourcing of bulk water sup-

ply from Benguet Corporation years back because this, too, has been politi-

cized. “We should learn a lesson from that. At this point we should help each

other so that we can come up with immediate solutions to our water problems.”

he said.

Anatomy of illegal settling in Baguio City….

Trees inside Teacher’s Camp

Reservation. Base of the trees

appear to have been burned as

they have turned black, BUT no

signs of “kaingin” are visible in

said area, trees will eventually

die.. . NO TRESPASSING

sign is placed on a tree while

a shanty is erected. These trees

will be cut and a house may

be erected in this area.

BAGUIO SANSTREES

MOTHER EARTHTes Choa

Outrage! Rallies! Protests! Court Suits! These are the everyday headlines in my hometown which is Baguio, supposedly the summer capital of the Philippines. The whole government used to transfer to this city because of the cool, green temperature even in summer. Not anymore. Baguio is now becoming another concrete jungle punctuated with squatters all over its mountains. And now the ShoeMart (SM) branch of Baguio is proposing a 7-level project that will cut another 182 trees. Somehow they think it will perfume their project if they say that the trees will be earthballed and relocated in their property. Tree Doctors and Experts – Serafin Metilla and Chito Bertol says it is very difficult to do this to pine trees because pine trees have such spread out sensitive roots that once the roots are injured, the whole tree dies. Ask the DENR an example of pine trees that they have successfully transferred or earthballed and they will show you NOTHING. For one thing, the DENR does not have the proper machines to relocate established trees. In the United States, it cost one million dollars ($1M) to earthball and transfer an established oak tree. SM repeatedly tells the public that only 182 trees will be affected. Let me tell you the truth. SM Baguio was the former Pines Hotel opposite the Vallejo Hotel. When the mall was built, 473 trees were cut. When they added the Call Center, another 100 trees were cut. With this latest project with 1,000 slots for parking, a water catchment or cistern that is capable of holding 6.9 million liters and a roof garden that will try to “simulate” nature – 182 trees will die. Get your calculators out and you have 755 trees massacred for this giant entity that calculates to earn P1 million a day, just on parking alone. With a roof garden, perhaps 6 meters of soil in depth , how can you accommodate the roots of a pine tree? How will you address the drainage? On top of that, do you know that Baguio has FIVE crisscrossing fault lines? In 1990 we lost more than 3,000 lives due to an earthquake. One crack on that water catchment or cistern and you have a deluge that will pour into Session Road and probably reach the Public Market unless the water path directs its flow to University of the Cordillera across Gov. Pack Road first. So there you have another school with hundreds of students that will be affected plus pedestrians trekking in red, thick mud into town and into the mall. With no roots to hold the erosion in check and just a reinforced retaining wall that has no guarantee of leaching, what a disaster waiting to happen!

Do you have a tree in your backyard? If you do, you are a

millionaire. A 100 year old tree is valued at P18 million

pesos. A 50 year old tree is valued at P9 million pesos.

These trees that will be sacrificed for a parking lot are 20 to

40 years old. If you value them at P4 million pesos, you are

throwing away P728 million pesos. These trees give free

fertilizer. The pine leaves and acorns that fall, decay and

decompose thus enriching your soil. The old bark falls and

regenerates with new cover. The insects, birds and fungi

that you find in their natural habitat will no longer have a

home. A 30 year old tree absorbs the emissions of 3 buses,

carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, vital to the very

breath of life. Can you imagine what will happen to the

quality of air in the city? Emissions of 546 buses will stay

and linger in what was once the summer capital of the

Philippines. Add to that the jeepneys, other vehicles and

motorcycle emissions, you have a veritable nightmare for

persons suffering from asthma and other respiratory

ailments. The roots that hold the soil will no longer be there

during the 6 rainy months and strong typhoons. SM boasts

they will plant 50,000 trees in a period of three years. Well,

it takes 50 years for a pine tree to reach full maturity.

Meanwhile the new, small and puny pine trees that will be

planted cannot give the same benefits that these

established pine trees can offer. And where will the 50,000

trees be planted in the city proper? You will probably go to

Sto. Tomas Hill to plant that many. This is a good half an

hour away from the city. There are no roads that can

accommodate 546 buses in that area. Shall we sacrifice

health for a daily intake of P1 million a day for SM? In a

meeting with Mr. Hans Sy, he informed us that his “real”

expansion was China. Then, why oh why expand in

Baguio? One parking slot has an average of 20 turnovers in a day. If you charge P35 for the parking slot and multiply that by 20 users, you earn P700 a day for that one slot. Now multiply that by 1,000 and you get a hefty sum of P700,000. The present mall has at least 400 slots to begin with. Get your calculators out and add those 400 slots as well. Now you know why SM is determined to put up this 7 level project. Let me give you another scenario. SM has bought the PNR (Philippine National Railways) property near the Victory Bus Station. If you remember, you would take the bus in this terminal to catch the train in Damortis, Pangasinan. In that property, there are no trees. Why can’t SM build their 7 level project in that area? It is a 5 minute walk to the mall. Add a tram – the very first of its kind in the Philippines, and along the way showcase a winding garden that displays the flowers that every float carries during the “Panagbenga” Flower Festival. For the elderly and the physically challenged, the tram would be a wonderful way to go to the mall. Offer the valet service for those collecting their groceries and purchased articles in the mall and there you have more employment for Baguio citizens without

harming or cutting one tree. I guess this cannot be

envisioned by those overzealous architects, designers and

engineers of SM. You not only add a new feature – a tram,

you also save 170 trees. Twelve (12) trees have already

been earthballed ready for their final death. A Dr. Pajillon

from Los Banos was sent to testify at court about this

earthballing of pine trees. When asked if he could give an

example area where they successfully transferred pine

trees, he had no answer. If you ask DENR what happened

to those gorgeous Acacia trees that were supposed to have

been transferred from Fort Bonifacio (Global City) to a

protected area, the answer will be the same – No where!

To add insult to injury, do you know that SM does not pay

Income Tax to Baguio City? It pays to Cavite where the

BIR National Office is located. What is paid in Baguio is

the Real Estate Tax and the business permits to include the

vendors’ permits. Unfortunately we have a Baguio City

Council that has been cowed and lured into an illusion of

traffic decongestion. The City Engineers must have been

more than eager to give their approval for such a project. In

a meeting with the City Urban Coordinator, I was informed

there was an ordinance to limit buildings or construction to

five (5) stories. So, why an approval for a 7 level project?

The Regional Office of DENR took a year to give its ECC

Clearance. Does Mr. Clarence Baquilat know of experts

who can assure the citizenry that those earthballed trees

will survive? If he does, can he pinpoint a location where

they have successfully relocated established pine trees? I

would dearly love to see such an area. I would love to call

on Serafin Metilla (Bonsai and Tree Expert) and Chito

Bertol (President of Manila Seedling Bank) to certify that

earthballing of pine trees can be a successful endeavour.

A Temporary Protection Order was issued by the Court

(Branch 5) in Baguio. This Branch handles all

environmental issues. Until this case is resolved, the

building of the 7 level project of SM is on hold. Open your

email, your google and facebook. You will see all the ads

placed by SM. During the rallies, pictures of the event

were on the front pages of the local papers. Did you hear a

peep in the Big 3? Not a peep in the Star, Inquirer or

Bulletin. When a giant is involved, especially one that

regularly advertises every week, the “Silence of the

Lambs” is heard. Self-Censorship dominates. Currently it

is the Opinion Writers that take up the advocacy. SM has

hired writers to counter the issues mentioned by the

protesters. SM has applied for a LEED (Leadership in

Energy Environmental Design) Certificate. I wonder if the

cutting of 755 trees will be taken into consideration for this

application. I guess not.

#

Illegal settling is seen as the top problem in Baguio’s environ-

mental woes. Illegal settlers, aside from occupying private lands in

the city , most significantly creep into the city’s forest and water

reservations. This has brought about rapid developments in the

city and depleting the city of water supply.

Tree cuttings in areas where they settle to build their homes are

slowly affecting the air and water stability in Baguio.

How long will the concerned government agencies and authorities

continue to let this happen? The Department of Environment and

Natural Resources and the local government of Baguio are blind,

deaf and mute to this sad reality happening in the city.

It is impossible that they are not aware of these illegal activities.

They only choose to be inutile. Or maybe some of them are even

part and participant to this vicious cycle?

The recent court decision to finally fence and stop developments

inside the Busol Watershed that supplies water to thousands of

Baguio residents come as a victory but as we celebrate it, another

land issue problem comes knocking as the NCIP decides to award

the lands of Wright Park, Mansion House, the historic Hill Station

and the Forbes Park Reservation to ancestral claimants who believe

they own these lands.

So, as we face all these, what will happen to the city of Baguio?

Illegal Settling in Baguio’s forest reserves, when will

it stop?

Restoring the Glory of BaguioRestoring the Glory of Baguio

Jody Alabanza was the first Superintendent of Parks and

Playgrounds of Baguio, the first city architect of the

Philippines designated to the positions of Planning

Director, City Architect and Parks Superintendent.

He has been in Academe teaching Habitat and

Environmental Science and in time became the Regional

Executive Director of the National Economic and

Development Authority (NEDA) and the Cordillera

Administrative Region (CAR). He has served in various

other government positions at John Hay Poro Point

Development Corporation as well as the Baguio

Centennial Commission. As an Outstanding Citizen of

Baguio (cited in 1997) he knows the institutional history of

Baguio and is a a proponent for better future for it and its

neighbors.

Alabanza is also leads the Pine Cone Movement’s Land

Use Committee. He spoke to Mita Dimalanta about

Baguio.

Baguio was known for its wide-open spaces, its fresh air

with the scent of pines, international tourism and the

rejuvenating and healing capability. It was a city directly

under the president of the Philippines who appointed the

mayor for decades until in 1958 all local government

positions became elective. For political considerations

some of the elected mayors distributed the agricultural

reserves of the city (first newar Easter School) to new

settlers. The result was massive migration from the

lowlands looking for land which brought on the

unregulated development of Quirino Hill and other areas

of Baguio. Those areas were then removed from public

use and with no development rules or resources became

blighted communities.

Also, after World War II, Baguio became an educational

center with universities, schools and the Philippine

Military Academy attracting a population of students.

Dormitories followed and other student facilities, also

(Interview with Jody Alabanza) mostly unregulated and substandard.

If everything had stopped there, probably higher

standards could have been imposed for improvements.

But it did not, unregulated overdevelopment became the

norm. Today Baguio is crowded with much of its former

open spaces removed from the public domain and

privatized, mostly for commercial purposes.

Since Baguio was planned for 50,000 people, at its

present 300,000 population the strain on resources is

serious. Alabanza thinks we should allow only four story

structures in Baguio because high-rise buildings intensify

the risk of increased population density, result in scarce

water supply and an inadequate sewerage system,

overload electrical connections and result in a

deterioration of other basic services like garbage disposal

and decreased fire protection, reduced security, traffic

congestion and pollution.

Baguio does not have any carrying capacity anymore yet

more visitors and migrants are expected with the opening

of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union expresssway.

Alabanza proffers two major solutions – strictly

implement zoning regulations with the cooperation of the

local government unit,. Residents, realtors, development

Planners must accept these realities and understand them

enough to know that things have to change. Baguio alone

cannot absorb all the migrants in the area, neighboring

communities must step up to the challenge for their own

progress too. Ideally, all real estate agents in Baguio must

inform their lot and home buyers about the zoning

regulations in the city and discourage them from seeking

exemption. Likewise local government officials must keep

the zoning rules and desist from giving exemptions. The

Zoning Board of Advisers of the city

should be more independent, composed of people with no

conflicts of interest or political leanings. The government

officials that compose it should be knowledgeable and

firm. Baguio has unique terrain to which construction

results in extraordinary environmental implications.

Topography must be studied closely before construction.

The slope of the terrain, the topographic map of adjoining

properties and an illustration of the structure that will be

erected are three rules to be followed before building so as

to be free from hazards or errors..

It is also critical to have a hazard map of Baguio that

should be consulted in building to prevent flooding and the

collapse of structures in extreme weather.

Twenty-three years ago, Alabanza working in NEDA

proposed the BLISTT development area to take in Baguio,

La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay as an

integral area for development with common unifying

points like tourism, commercial development, housing,

leisure and park areas to be done as one whole. In this way

development can be distributed evenly without overdoing

it in one area.

The World Bank was interested in this project but it has to

be the local governments to adopt it after due consultation

and discussion with each other so as to come with a

unanimous decision and an approved plan.

This forward-looking plan should be revived and re-

studied as Baguio and its neighbors need a sensible,

progressive, all-inclusive advantageous plan for

development.

This forward-looking move should be revived and

restudied as Baguio and its neighbors need a sensible,

progressive, all-inclusive, advantageous plan for

development.

Working Towards a Zero Waste Philippines

Mother EarthF O U N D A T I O N