Finding solutions to the SM mess

EDITORIAL

The huge rally against the planned cutting or balling” of trees at SM Baguio could not have happened if the Department of Environment and Natural Resources didn’t issue a tree-cutting or “balling” permit and the city government didn’t issue a building permit to the giant firm to make a seven-storey parking lot.

The government is now being perceived again as the culprit. With the thrust of the Aquino administration for a total log ban, it is a wonder how the DENR granted the permit.

To SM, business is business, but to the protesters, it is a matter of environmental protection. So what gives? It is either SM will stop the project or the protests will continue as gleaned from Friday’s rally in downtown Baguio where more than 5,000 people came out of nowhere to air their sentiments against the project.

A dialogue on the matter as proposed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan is a positive step in finding solutions to the controversy.It is high time huge like SM and government officials should be more sensitive to the people. After all, is they who are the customers of the former while the latter’s salaries are being paid out of taxpayers’ money.
Being in a democratic society, a dialogue on the issue by stakeholders is wanting