SM pits Baguio people against each other
>> Thursday, March 22, 2012
LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza
BAGUIO CITY -- One of the biggest problems SM and DENR brought to Baguio can no longer be concealed as the owners wished to in the first place. This is so because thousands of people consisting of a cross-section of residents, non-residents, outsiders from other regions, local and foreign tourists, Filipinos abroad, cause-oriented groups and even tight-lipped but equally concerned citizens who work in government are sympathetic to the cause of the main groups that are fighting to save close to 200 trees at Luneta Hill between Session and Governor Pack roads.
The multi-sectoral “mob” as described by the tree-killers-to-be is a big group of peaceful students and professionals who were joined by artists and backed by their husbands and wives, their children, concerned citizens who never joined any protest rally in the past. I wonder if more than 4,000 peace-loving citizens who protested in the streets and the thousands more who signed the petition against the cutting of trees can be called “mob?”
Plain housewives and their children who are aware of the effects of killing trees can not be called “mob.” Their only wish is to protect the trees at LunetaHill.Unless the SM group is running out of things to report to their boss Henry. A mob is an unruly and an undisciplined group.
“Mobster” from the root word “mob” is another word for “gangster.” The character of this kind is one that is scheming and connives with established organizations so that he can squeeze out his interest, particularly money. He steals what his boss has stolen from other people. These animals that only look up to money have no breeding. They are the mob.
By the way, the latest I gathered from informants was that the tree-cutting proponents have knowledge of faultlines under SM, the big structure has cracks in it so that one of the solutions that was suggested by their enterprising developers who take charge of their constructions is to build an extension to help hold the existing structure.
The University of the Cordilleras below SM should look into this. In the last week of February, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo criticized the DENR for issuing a permit to SM to cut down trees to pave way for a parking lot. “People tend to take for granted and lose sight of the things that are most essential for human survival,” said Pabillo, Chairman of the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Is he a mobster?
Lately, NGOs and cause-oriented groups from the right, left and center; OFWs, BIBAK organizations, the Soroptimists Club in Baguio and their co-branches outside the city made known their support. Can these groups be called “mob?” Also, an independent group has just made contact with the Sy family and that the latter might surprisingly back off, if they can find ways to save face. But what is most important is that the trees will not be touched.
Another group that has made known its fight against the cutting and earth-balling the Luneta Hill trees is the Cordillera Alliance of Hong Kong. CORALL-HK is composed of OFWs who have written their families to oppose the move cut trees. Their campaign that was launched on February 19, 2012 has been able to gather close to 1,000 signatures. This was attached to a letter that was sent to PNoy and the Baguio City council.
Lately, the officers and members of the Baguio Association – San Diego (BCASD), California, USA met and wrote strongly-worded statements dated March 11, 2012 against the cutting or earthballing of 182 trees by SM, they strongly signified the ff: 1) We strongly stand in solidarity with the organizations and individuals that are against the move of SM Baguio to cut or earthball 182 trees adjacent to the SM facility fronting Governor Pack Road at the zenith of Session Road in Baguio City. 2) We strongly detest the plan of SM to cut or earthball said trees. We urge SM to reconsider their position and leave those trees alone. 3) We strongly abhor the dereliction of duty of the DENR officers, Baguio City Mayor, Session Road Barangay Chairman, and other entities and individuals by giving their official consent for SM to cut or earthball those trees.
By the way, the latest I gathered from informants was that the tree-cutting proponents have knowledge of faultlines under SM, the big structure has cracks in it so that one of the solutions that was suggested by their enterprising developers who take charge of their constructions is to build an extension to help hold the existing structure.
The University of the Cordilleras below SM should look into this. In the last week of February, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo criticized the DENR for issuing a permit to SM to cut down trees to pave way for a parking lot. “People tend to take for granted and lose sight of the things that are most essential for human survival,” said Pabillo, Chairman of the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Is he a mobster?
Lately, NGOs and cause-oriented groups from the right, left and center; OFWs, BIBAK organizations, the Soroptimists Club in Baguio and their co-branches outside the city made known their support. Can these groups be called “mob?” Also, an independent group has just made contact with the Sy family and that the latter might surprisingly back off, if they can find ways to save face. But what is most important is that the trees will not be touched.
Another group that has made known its fight against the cutting and earth-balling the Luneta Hill trees is the Cordillera Alliance of Hong Kong. CORALL-HK is composed of OFWs who have written their families to oppose the move cut trees. Their campaign that was launched on February 19, 2012 has been able to gather close to 1,000 signatures. This was attached to a letter that was sent to PNoy and the Baguio City council.
Lately, the officers and members of the Baguio Association – San Diego (BCASD), California, USA met and wrote strongly-worded statements dated March 11, 2012 against the cutting or earthballing of 182 trees by SM, they strongly signified the ff: 1) We strongly stand in solidarity with the organizations and individuals that are against the move of SM Baguio to cut or earthball 182 trees adjacent to the SM facility fronting Governor Pack Road at the zenith of Session Road in Baguio City. 2) We strongly detest the plan of SM to cut or earthball said trees. We urge SM to reconsider their position and leave those trees alone. 3) We strongly abhor the dereliction of duty of the DENR officers, Baguio City Mayor, Session Road Barangay Chairman, and other entities and individuals by giving their official consent for SM to cut or earthball those trees.
Their acts of giving permission goes against the definition of their reasons for being, shows their ignorance of the environmental importance of those trees to the well being of the Baguio City populace, and their lack of spine to stand up against magnates such as SM. 4) We strongly urge the Baguio Regreening Movement (BRM) to stand against the plan of SM. Not doing so runs counter to the core dictum of the BRM, shows its lack of spine to stand against those who assault ‘greening programs,’ and makes the leadership of BRM suspect to be in the purse of SM. 5) We still have faith in the Baguio City Council that, collectively and individually, it would reverse its pro-SM stand and would stand to be at the forefront of the populace of Baguio City who they have sworn to serve. Not doing so would run counter to the democratic will of thousands of petitioners who have already signified their being against the SM plan, shows their lack of spine to fight for the Baguio populace, and makes council individual members suspect to be in the purse of SM.
As an additional declaration they stated the following: 1) Although we now reside in the United States, we still have stake in Baguio as we still have relatives in the City who we would want protected environmentally, aesthetically, and culturally. 2) Many of us, when we reach the proper age, would want to go back to Baguio City for our retirement years. 3) Over the years, whenever we go home, we have witnessed the dramatic deterioration of the City with its balding mountains as it gave in to urbanization resulting in foul air, severe water shortage, and other environmental issues. Stoppage of the cutting or earthballing the 182 trees is our way of saying “Sobrana.Tama na!”
Under item No. 4, it was obvious that the BCASD was referring to Councilor ErdolfoBalajadia, BRM chair and city council chair of the committee on health and environment.
In an open letter published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on March 13, 2012, Ms. Willa Isabella Tecson, a concerned resident from Pasig who visited last week said, and I quote parts of her letter: There is a grass-roots movement of Baguio City residents opposing the removal of the 182 trees.
They refer to themselves as Save 182. We met them everywhere—as we walked down Session Road, in Oh My Gulay restaurant, among the staff in Baguio Country Club, and among the many dog lovers who joined the “Dog Walk” event in Sunshine Park. We saw and met many residents joining the movement, using personal time and resources to collect signatures, and wearing green ribbons to show their opposition.
I am not from Baguio. I am a lowlander and from what I have seen, the councilors and mayor of Baguio City should take heed of what their local electorate is saying. There is a legitimate concern from its residents to stop the uprooting and “balling” of the pine trees to give way to a parking lot.
As an additional declaration they stated the following: 1) Although we now reside in the United States, we still have stake in Baguio as we still have relatives in the City who we would want protected environmentally, aesthetically, and culturally. 2) Many of us, when we reach the proper age, would want to go back to Baguio City for our retirement years. 3) Over the years, whenever we go home, we have witnessed the dramatic deterioration of the City with its balding mountains as it gave in to urbanization resulting in foul air, severe water shortage, and other environmental issues. Stoppage of the cutting or earthballing the 182 trees is our way of saying “Sobrana.Tama na!”
Under item No. 4, it was obvious that the BCASD was referring to Councilor ErdolfoBalajadia, BRM chair and city council chair of the committee on health and environment.
In an open letter published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on March 13, 2012, Ms. Willa Isabella Tecson, a concerned resident from Pasig who visited last week said, and I quote parts of her letter: There is a grass-roots movement of Baguio City residents opposing the removal of the 182 trees.
They refer to themselves as Save 182. We met them everywhere—as we walked down Session Road, in Oh My Gulay restaurant, among the staff in Baguio Country Club, and among the many dog lovers who joined the “Dog Walk” event in Sunshine Park. We saw and met many residents joining the movement, using personal time and resources to collect signatures, and wearing green ribbons to show their opposition.
I am not from Baguio. I am a lowlander and from what I have seen, the councilors and mayor of Baguio City should take heed of what their local electorate is saying. There is a legitimate concern from its residents to stop the uprooting and “balling” of the pine trees to give way to a parking lot.
For me as a city lowlander residing in Pasig, when I think of Baguio, I imagine cool weather, clean air, pine trees, lots of open spaces.
This is the allure that Baguio has for me. In the past many years, due to commercialization and congestion, Baguio is losing its appeal to me and my friends as a summer vacation capital. The idea of another SM mall up there among the pines has not added to its summer appeal. I just think of more congestion and traffic with SM up there. Why would I drive six hours and plan a vacation in Baguio just to experience the same thing that I have here where I live? Let me put it another way: Baguio City was the “Summer Capital,” the place people from Manila used to go to when the hot weather set in. We would go there not for a parking lot or for another mall.
The city government of Baguio should have a clear vision where it wants to lead the city, and its officials should listen to its residents. It’s more than an issue of 182 trees. It’s the whole vision of Baguio City—unpolluted air, ample and clean water supply, lots of walking paths, open spaces, pine trees, cultural interchange, development of local crafts. I don’t think Baguio should go the way of other cities. That way is going to bring Baguio to a dead end. Precisely, Baguio’s appeal is that it is not like the cities we come from.
Baguio should stop cutting down its pine trees. It will not only lead to ecological disasters, like landslides, it will also be an eco-tourism suicide. The 182 pine trees signify the spirit of Baguio City. The pine tree is an icon of Baguio. Pine trees are what make Baguio City the “City of Pines.”-- willatecson@yahoo.com
These groups and individuals are saying the same thing – “Baguio should be maintained as the City of Pines, not of buildings.” And even my friends in the DENR who at present are tight-lipped, are for our fight but they can not do anything because they have a boss upstairs who are watching them. DENR is their “bread and butter.” They are caught in the middle of the wishes of their bosses, their job and their sentiment for the trees. I can see their body language. The only persons who can really untie the problem are the city council by way of a resolution supporting the fight against killing the Luneta Hill trees, Mayor Morris Domogan, Sec. Ramon Paje and SM. In the meantime, SM and its protectors have successfully pitted Baguio residents against each other. Indeed, as Atty, Chit Daytec Yangot had said, “It is sad that we have to fight our own officials” just to save hundreds of trees. –marchfianza777@yahoo.com
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