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.
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