BGHMC expansion on; biz owners fear displacement

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY – Business owners along Camp 8, Kennon Road sought help of the city council after their business permits were withheld following objection of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC).
In their letter addressed to the city council, business owners said they feared they would lose their livelihood and requested the assistance of the body for the issuance of their business permits.
    The area where business owners are located is part of the lot claimed by BGHMC. A survey plan indicates that the barangay hall, the basketball court, and the area in question (all three areas located in Camp 8 Barangay) are within the BGH reservation under Proclamation 472, s. 1968. 
    To help thresh out the matter, the city council summoned concerned citizens and representatives of BGHMC, Permits and Licensing Division (PLD), and the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) to its regular session last October 24.
    Elias Aoanan, CPDO representative, said the issuance of a locational clearance to the vendors is subject to the consent granted by the administration of the BGHMC. A locational clearance is a prerequisite to the issuance of a business permit. 
    Lawyer Joan Estoque, BGHMC representative, told the city council that the BGHMC is undergoing expansion in accordance with its development plan, thus it had ceased granting business owners consent to use the area.
    The said development includes construction of additional hospitals to accommodate more medical services offered by BGHMC.
    Estoque said construction of additional hospitals within the BGHMC premises had started.
    However, there are no definite timelines yet for the commencement of expansion projects in other areas, she disclosed. 
    She said, if it is determined to be within the road-right-of-way, the area in question would no longer form part of the BGHMC reservation, and the proper agency to issue clearance would be the Dept. of Public Works and Highways.
    The city council, through a resolution, requested BGHMC to issue temporary clearances to all business owners operating within the BGHMC reservation, provided they execute an undertaking to voluntarily vacate the premises when needed.
    The council requested BGHMC to submit a position paper including survey plan/map showing areas covered by the BGH reservation.  
    Meanwhile, Lopito Nabulay, punong barangay of Camp 8, said they lobbied Rep. Mark Go for segregation of portions occupied by the barangay from the BGHMC reservation. 
    Records showed business owners had been issued business permits and had been allowed to continue selling in the area earlier this year upon the recommendation of the city council.
    During a council session, it was found out business owners earlier signed an undertaking with BGHMC to temporarily use the area with the agreement that they would vacate it the moment BGHMC decided to implement its development plan.