Poll bets for top posts air ‘solutions’ to Baguio woes

BAGUIO CITY – Candidates for top positions in this summer capital bared their “solutions” to problems of the city like pollution, decongestion, squatting and traffic.    

And if there is a problem facing Baguio that really stands out, it is overcrowding or congestion. That, as far as two mayoralty candidates and two congressional bets are concerned.

Mayoralty bet, Jose “Joemol” Molintas believes that the BLISTT (Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay) concept may yet provide the answer to the city’s problem of an uncontrolled and ever increasing population.

Molintas, a lawyer said, the sooner the idea is pushed, the better for Baguio as it answers the need to decongest most of the city’s 128 barangays.

Meanwhile, another mayoralty bet, retired regional trial court judge Del Claravall, along with candidates for congressman, engineer Bernardo M. Vergara and Mark Go have come up with their own versions of decongesting the city.

In his campaign material, Claravall who appealed through his “Bangon Baguio Bangon” statement said there is a need to solve traffic congestion, improve water supply and control real estate over-development – concerns that are all related to over-population.

In a previous political forum, businessman Mark Go proposed the creation of an agency such as a BLISTT Development Authority that could address congestion in the city caused by unregulated development.

The congressional bet said, this can help expand the reach of development, commerce and economy outside Baguio.

For his part, Vergara who was a 4-term congressman from 1992 to 2001 said that finishing the circumferential roads which were started during his term could help disperse the population outside Baguio.

Molintas said the BLISTT is an idea that can disperse economic activities such as tourism, education and business around Baguio’s neighboring towns in Benguet.

He claimed that being an Ibaloy, it would give him more the advantage to deal with the leaders of these towns.

“Population is uncontrollable. With the implementation of BLISTT, people will spread out instead of congesting in Baguio. Starting a low-cost housing project and building rent-to-own houses will convince informal settlers to move out from the city,” Molintas said, underscoring the need to stop constructing housing subdivisions that only attract outsiders.

The BLISTT concept makes more sense than favoring the construction of layered parking lot at Burnham Park which is the only remaining wide space for children to run around, Molintas said.

He is not in favor of replacing the public market with a four-story shopping mall as this will only help attract crowds.

The media bureau of the local Timpuyog Party did not issue a press statement on programs or platforms of Mayor Mauricio Domogan who is running for the same post.

 Rep. Nicasio Aliping Jr., who is also seeking reelection did not also issue a press statement on his programs.

Aliping was recently indicted by the Ombudsman for “illegal cutting of trees” at Mt Sto. Tomas had been hounded by residents and netizens who launched a campaign against him for this.  

This, as Vergara urged his rivals for the congressional seat to disclose before the people their health and medical records to prove how physically, mentally and psychologically fit they are to serve as the city’s congressman in the next three years.

Dismissing what he termed as “black propaganda,” the former solon said claims raised this election that he is “just an aging, sickly man who deserves to be retired from the rigors of public office” were unfounded.

It was reportedly an issue that outraged senior citizens and elderly groups who expressed disgust over the discriminating remarks.

“I am very much in good health, have not had any medical or surgical procedures, and I continue to lead a clean, healthy lifestyle. I can very well do the job with the same energy, focus, and determination that have marked my past congressional terms,” he said.

He added he has never thought that one’s physical health or condition was a campaign issue, pointing out that “age is just a number,” and not a hindrance in public service.

 “Dapat pag-usapan, hindi edad, kundi abilidad, kalidad, at higit sa lahat, integridad,” he said.

Addressing the issue of his health, Vergara urged his opponents to bare their medical records for people to know who had heart bypass operations and who are psychologically unfit to handle the pressures of the job.

“Maglabasan na tayo ng ating mga health and medical record nang magka-alaman na! As for me, I am confident enough of my own health condition. “I have not had any hospitalization or surgery at all. I have managed my health well enough to remain fit for the job. I sincerely hope that my rivals are of the same condition,” he added.

Vergara asked his rivals to join him in a public display of their health condition at a time and place of the next congressional debate. “Kung  dapat pag-usapan ang bagay na ito sa eleksyong ito, sige na, ipaalam natin ang tunay na kundisyon ng ating kalusugan.”

He said the coming election is a fresh opportunity for citizens to nurse hopes for Baguio to move forward, based on platforms as against promises, on character as against character assassination, on competence against compromises.

“Abilidad, kalidad, integridad ang dapat na pag-usapan. Diyan tayo magkakasubukan,” Vergara said.