Baguio folks, execs at odds over ‘greenbelt’ project

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUJIO CITY -- An ongoing off-carriageway improvement project by the Department of Public Works and Highways- Baguio City District Engineering Office (DPWH-BCDEO) includes the construction of a sidewalk at the Dizon-Manzanillo Subdivision Barangay along Adarna Street.
    Unfortunately, the proposed sidewalk will cover a portion of the land declared as a greenbelt by the barangay.
    A greenbelt is a natural, undeveloped, and agricultural land located within an urban place. Greenbelts are areas declared by local governments as protected areas in order to promote sustainability and environmental protection and lessen the impact of urbanization. 
    In 2021, the barangay council of Dizon-Manzanillo Subdivision passed a resolution declaring a parcel of land along Adarna street as a greenbelt.
    According to the barangay resolution, it shall be maintained as an open space to be used for gardening and greening purposes. 
    The barangay resolution was approved by the Baguio City Council in the same year.
    Engineer Cesario Rillera, head of planning and design section of the DPWH-BCDEO, said a portion of the said area is within road-right-of-way. 
    Adarna St. is identified as a city road.
    According to executive order No. 180, s. 1948, municipal and city roads shall have right-of-way of not less than 10 meters. 
    Rillera said the portion is now needed for construction of a sidewalk which is part of the road recovery program.
    The proposed sidewalk shall be within the 10-meter road-right-of-way.
    If implemented, the construction of the sidewalk might reduce the identified greenbelt along Adarna St. into a very narrow strip of land. 
    Earlier, a proposed plan of the project was submitted by the DPWH-BCDEO to the city government for recommendations.
    However, architect Donna Tabangin, head of the City Planning and Development Office, requested that the CPDO will be the one to take the lead in creating the project plan of the proposed sidewalk since the city government is currently pursuing a green walk program. 
    One of the objectives of the greenwalk program is to achieve uniformity and consistency in terms of the width and the design of all sidewalks in the city, Tabangin said.
    She added construction of the sidewalk should be in consonance with the city government’s green walk program, thus, the remaining portions of the area should not be paved but maintained a green zone.
    Councilor Michael Lawana insisted the city government should be the one in charge of any development within the road-right-of-way of Adarna Street since it is identified as a city road, not a national road.
    Engineer Gamaliel Flores, owner of the property that is adjacent to the greenbelt, proposed to maintain the area.
Flores said he can more closely supervise the greenbelt since it is right in front of his property.
    As the adjacent lot owner, he said he can ensure that the area is safeguarded from illegal activities.
    During the regular session, Flores explained they plan to put up an apartment and that any development done in the greenbelt might affect the ingress and egress of their property.
    The greenbelt is currently utilized as a community garden by the residents.
    Barangay officials and residents of Dizon-Manzanillo Subdivision expressed their opposition against any proposed project that will affect the greenbelt. 
    George Banayos, barangay chief, told city council members there is no other area in the barangay where they can relocate their community garden.
    Banayos said the Bureau of Plant and Industry supported the barangay in its move to develop and maintain the area as an agricultural site by donating 24 lemon seedlings and 10 papaya seedlings which are now planted. 
    Tabangin said the CPDO, barangay officials, City Engineering Office, DPWH-BCDEO, and Flores should work together to thresh out all concerns raised and to come up with a project plan that will be beneficial and acceptable to all concerned parties. 
    The city council requested the DPWH-BCDEO, in coordination with concerned city government offices, to survey the site to properly identify the road-right-of-way and determine how much of the land declared as a greenbelt is left. 
    The council also urged the CPDO to assist barangay officials in identifying other areas as possible relocation sites of the community garden.