Vendors’ group hit Baguio market dev’t negotiations

‘We were left out’

BAGUIO CITY -- A leader of an association of vendors at the City Public Market assailed the city government’s negotiations with SM Prime Holdings (SMPH) despite their clamor the development plan could have included their proposal.

    During the Feb. 20 public consultation on the plan to develop the market, lawyer Zosimo Abratique, president of Baguio Market Vendors Association (BAMARVA) said the city government initially involved the vendors in planning the market’s improvement but things took a different turn when city officials decided the development should be through a public-private partnership (PPP).

    “We were consulted but naiba na,” Abratique said recalling that SMPH’s proposal as presented during the consultation was different from its earlier proposal submitted to the P4 Selection Committee.

Abratique said the general clamor of vendors was for the city government to finance the development, not a private entity.

    He said the vendors feared displacement, higher rent and unfair competition in the event the developer allows new tenants into the developed area.

    “We feel like this is a done deal. We cannot find a way to present an alternative. Iba yung original proposal, at iba na itong end product. Parang hindi na unsolicited proposal. It appears that it became a negotiated deal,”    Abratique told the City Council’s committee on laws, which organized the public consultation.

    Abratique said they were not opposed to the development but preferred for the government or for the vendors themselves to shoulder a portion of the cost of development.

    SMPH’s original proposal was to manage 70 percent of the developed market, while the 30 percent will be managed by the Baguio local government.

    This proposal was reportedly amended while terms of development were being negotiated. Under the amended terms, the city government will manage the public market 70 percent with 30 percent by SMPH.

    However, the market building, initially said to be seven storeys will reportedly become eight storeys.

    The number of years where SMPH may operate has also been revised, though this has not been disclosed during consultation.

    The market development project is estimated to cost P4.50 billion.

    The proposal is now under review by City Development Council.

    Market vendors and other concerned citizens of Baguio have asked the P4 Selection Committee to divulge the terms of negotiation between the committee and SMPH, proponent of the market development project.

As the project inched closer to the Swiss Challenge, stakeholders who attended the public consultation on Feb. 14, at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center said the committee should be transparent and present to the public the 34 terms of negotiation.

    The P4 has so far given only an overview of the terms, citing the non-disclosure agreement between the committee and SMPH.

    However, terms have been presented to the City Development Council (CDC) as part of the process before endorsement to the City Council.

     Lack of details about the 34 terms of negotiation, limited the discussion in a public consultation, a stakeholder said.

    “I ask the city council to maximize the 120 days. Ang hirap nagdidiscuss na hindi namin alam ang complete terms”, a stakeholder said.

    Under the new Public-Private Partnership law, the approving authority (the City Council in this case), has 120 working days to decide on whether to approve the terms as endorsed by CDC.

    Holy Ghost Extension Kagawad George Bangsoy, who is also a vendor in the market, echoed the sentiment.

    He told a representative of SMPH who attended the consultation, “Adu gamin ti detalye nga saan nga maibagbaga isunga ada fear kanyami nga vendor. Tell us so we can have an informed decision.”

    The terms of negotiation were presented to the CDC last Feb. 14.

    The CDC has 30 days from receipt of the Notice of Completeness to review the proposal and submit a report to the City Council about its concerns and decision.

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Mayors league head hits Abra poll violence reports; no deaths

By Liza Agoot

BAGUIO CITY – The president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), Mayor Joseph Bernos of La Paz, Abra assailed Wednesday reports of political violence in the province saying peace and order situation improved. 

    Speaking during induction of officers of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club on Tuesday evening at the Beneco Hall in this city, Bernos said for over a decade, no politician was killed during an election in the province.

    During the past four to six elections, Abra did not record any election-related killings, he said. 

    “The political landscape in Abra has changed. For the past three months, bago ang political dynamics sa Abra (the dynamics in politics is new), he said.” 

    Bernos said Abra used to be a perennial election hotspot and the province gained notoriety because of political violence.  

    “We are from the Cordillera, nakakahiya kami sa Abra kapag pinag-usapan ang election violence. Hiyang-hiya kami nadadamay ang Cordillera because we are a part of it (We in Abra were ashamed when election violence was being talked about. The whole Cordillera region is being dragged because we are part of it),” he said.

    Bernos said they have been trying for years to erase the public’s image of Abra as an unsafe place.

    During the recent Joint Security Council meeting, Brig. Gen. David Peredo, Police Regional Office-Cordillera director, said Abra was placed under the Commission on Elections' "Orange" category due to the previous records and not because there is an ongoing peace and order problem in the province.

    Code "orange" indicates the presence of armed groups and incidents of poll-related violence.

    “Because they have a record, they cannot be considered as green category but that is already past, it is different now,” Peredo said. 

    Meanwhile, with the ongoing Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA), Bernos said they are keeping an eye on the athletes, and noted that they have improved their standing compared to the previous years. 

    “For the first time in many years, as of Tuesday, we are number 2, next to perennial winner Baguio City,” he said. 

    He added as LMP president, he urged 27 participating municipalities to fully support the athletes. 

“We have to look at the welfare of the athletes kasi noon kulang ang support sa mga pangangailangan nila. This time we made sure that municipalities support the athletes (We have to look at the welfare of the athletes because previously, they lacked that needed support. This time, we made sure that municipalities support their athletes),” he said. -- PNA

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Unique gift ideas

 SM Updates

Josie Lin Galario

 

Love is in the air! Last Valentine’s Day, SM City Baguio presented a selection of heartfelt gifts, showcasing handcrafted treasures from local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to support homegrown talent while gifting something special, with ideas sure to make their hearts smile.

Stones and charms

On any day, surprise your special someone with a thoughtful gift that captures their love for stones and charms. Whether it’s a beautifully crafted piece of jewelry, a personalized charm bracelet, or a stunning stone that symbolizes a meaningful connection, this unique gesture is sure to make them feel truly cherished. Let the timeless beauty of these treasures express your love in a way that speaks directly to their heart.

Crafted flowers

Surprise your partner with flowers that are as timeless as your love. Instead of the usual bouquet, give the gift of crafted flowers that last forever, such as intricately crocheted blooms, preserved flowers that maintain their natural beauty for years, or a stunning flower encapsulated inside a balloon, creating a whimsical, lasting display. These unique floral creations are available exclusively at Flowers and Favors Sweet Blooms and Florose Garden.                       

Personalized souvenirs

Make a memorable day extra special with a gift that’s both heartfelt and one-of-a-kind. Choose from custom stickers to add a personal touch, or give the gift of warmth and creativity with beautifully handcrafted crochet items. Mezeve offers the perfect personalized gift to show your love and thoughtfulness in a truly memorable way.

Decadent treats

If your date has a sweet tooth, head over to Sugar Shack and treat them to their signature Ice Cream Cake and Strawberry Pudding. It's the perfect indulgence to make the day even sweeter!  

Celebrating love comes in all forms.

To know more about SM Supermalls’ events, visit SM City Baguio (official) on Facebook.

 

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Les-eng Rice Terraces: Kibungan’s ‘hidden treasure’

 

LES-ENG, Batangan, Wallayan, Culiang and Lanipew Rice Terraces

 

Eco-tourism

 

Nilo P. Cacay 

KIJBUNGAN, Benguet – In the mountains of Kibungan, Benguet, lies a breathtaking yet little-known wonder—the Les-eng Rice Terraces. Unlike the famous terraces of Ifugao, Les-eng remains untouched by mass tourism.

To get there, one must be willing to embark on a challenging trek, winding through steep trails and pine-covered slopes. But for those who make the journey, the reward is an unforgettable view of lush green terraces carved into the mountainside—evidence of the community’s deep connection to the land. Photo: Cacay Nilo.

More than a scenic view, Les-eng is not just a place to admire; it’s a living testament to the hard work and ingenuity of the indigenous people. For generations, farmers here have cultivated traditional rice varieties such as sampuling, miracle, diket, bongkitan, dinara, palgay, and balatinao, grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

These terraces are more than farmland, they are a way of life, passed down from ancestors who carefully shaped the landscape to sustain their families. The long and extreme trail getting to Les-eng isn’t that easy.

The trek can take up to six to eight hours, depending on the weather and the hiker’s pace. If you have a vehicle, you get there to Tacadang for five hours from La Trinidad Benguet then have a 2-hour walk to arrive at Les-eng.

The trail winds through deep forests, steep ridges, and narrow footpaths, sometimes revealing stunning rock formations and waterfalls along the way like what they called, The Crying Mountain.

Despite the difficulty of the journey, it is worth considering as you can have memorable experience. Every step offers a glimpse into the untouched beauty of the Cordillera Mountains.

The people of Tacadang, where Les-eng is located, live simple yet fulfilling lives. They rely on farming, and traditional hunting, using what nature provides rather than modern conveniences.

A local farmer once joked that he felt shy for serving freshly cooked native chicken to his guest. He thought that canned sardines is better to have than the native chiken but you know that this native chicken is more organic and safe to consume than the process sardines.

This humility and deep appreciation for homegrown food show the Tacadang people’s strong sense of self-sufficiency. Preserving the Cultural and Traditions Treasure Though Les-eng remains largely undiscovered, local leaders and residents are becoming aware of the possible potential that it offers in an ecotourism destination.

They hope that if visitors come, they will respect their land and culture. They believe that tourist could help preserve their way of life while allowing them to witness the beauty of the terraces without causing harm.

Les-eng Rice Terraces were crafted 100 years ago some of it were during the World War 2. During that time famine occurs vegetables and fruit were difficult to grow but because of their resiliency they were able to adopt other methods of farming that’s when they discover and start to build those stairway rice fields.

Les-eng Rice Terraces is more than just a beautiful destination. It is a piece of history, a symbol of resilience and bravery. And a reminder that some of the world’s greatest wonders are found in the most unexpected places.

We are not just aware that there were places like this that just within our backyard. To  individuals seeking for adventure, culture and breathtaking views, Les-eng is waiting to be discovered. – (Nilo P. Cacay is a student of the Benguet State University)  

 

 

 

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