Rule on beautifying idle road lots pushed

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Amendment of a city ordinance crafted in April 2008 converting portions of idle riprap walls along roads into gardens and parks is now being pushed as such areas may fall under roads-right-of-way.

Personnel of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, in a report submitted to Vice Mayor Daniel Farinas last week, said Recommendations from the Department of Public Works and Highways were made part of the report on conversion of vacant portions of land of riprap walls into parks, road safety, urban planning, sustainability and maintenance of the park or garden.

In a letter-memorandum, the DPWH said park/garden conversion is not allowed as this may be within the RROW and a violation of Department Order 52, series of 2003.

The letter said roots of plants may cause cracks on riprap walls, or that full-grown plants may block car drivers’ horizontal line of sight, causing accidents.

These included Camp Allen, Baguio General Hospital Rotunda, Leonard Wood Road, Portions of Quirino Highway (formerly Naguilian road), Magsaysay Avenue and Buhagan road (formerly Bokawkan road), all national roads which are considered busy places, and presence of big plants or trees may endanger lives, the letter stated.

Though DPWH regional officials said they supported the concept of urban greening or gardens and parks along Baguio’s streets, certain conditions and plans should conform with site condition, the letter said.

“It is recommended that the DPWH-CAR, City Environment and Parks Management Office and City Engineering Office in coordination with the barangays should determine the areas and specific portions of riprap walls which may be planted with ornamental or flowering plants,” said the letter.

“Ornamental or flowering plants with a maximum height of 0.5 meter only be allowed, and that “sustainability and maintenance of the park is essential, which may be through the barangay officials and residents. No fruit-bearing trees shoud be planted on the upper part of the walls, “as these may affect the aesthetic aspect and stability of the structures,” the recommendation said.

The ordinance earlier pushed for conversion of vacant and idle portion of soil on riprap walls for “flowering plants and even vegetables,” which “could add to the city’s beautification campaign and form part of celebrations… such as the Summer Festival, Panagbenga, Charter Celebration and other programs.”

Portions of riprap walls may be adopted by organizations for their maintenance, as the City Environment and Parks Management Office was urged to include P200,000 in their budget for the purpose.  

An inspection in mentioned roads was done to confirm the findings and recommendations.

Maintenance such as watering, pruning and cultivation is needed for the plants, some in pots, along and above riprap walls, in rotundas, and road shoulders, as some were found out to be wilted and overgrown.