Published February 4, 2001

BAGUIO -- Give Baguio back to the people Now is the time to squarely face up to reality of what Baguio has become. It's not a heartening picture, to be sure, but any move to alter circumstances has to start with some factual assessments.

At the core, there should primarily be an acceptance of BAGUIO'S too hasty plunge into crass commercialization, not only for business zones - which might arguably be justified - but also of its inviolate recreational areas.

Burnham Park should be the best example. No longer the spectacle of a people's park. If it is not a tacky "amusement" center that has been put up, a dubiously arranged 'livelihood" project would sprung up. And what is it we hear that an Estrada crony had been busily preparing his own private concessions all over the park. End result of which would have been to effectively convert the city's leisure centerpiece into a private enterprise. Only the providential luck that the latest people's uprising prevented it.

Still, the public wonders about all of those grand rationalizations that renting out the park would mean income to be plowed back into restoring Burnham Park to its true charter - as the only recreation and enjoyment oasis in the city's heart.

The abdication of those promises has instead resulted in an almost total deterioration.

The athletic bowl, for instance, once the proud training ground of world class (forgive the tired use of that phrase) athlete, has deteriorated to a veritable mud or dust hole. You can weep, but the salt of your tears will only kill the grass more. Bette r to be outraged and convert the anger into positive action.

The same should be done about the willy-nilly violation of building regulations. The quibbling that city officials have been doing over infractions is amazing. They argue about a few inches of roads-right-of-way and conveniently forget that wholesale infractions precisely start with the little accommodations. Equally convenient is not informing the people that those seemingly small intrusions into designated roads are in fact allowances to private interests running up to millions of pesos. Those who know however, can only wonder on how "many good reasons" it took to overlook the anomalies.

On the renting of other declared park areas, one would think that would be inconceivable. But the Baguio officials appear bent on leasing these out so that more concrete monstrosities can be built, instead of ensuring the public of more green havens.

Looking at all these "development" makes an increasingly disappointed public to ask if there is a true concern for the remaining natural attractions of this definitely unique mountain city.

With the politicians' impressive words and catch phrases, to what extent can the city really stand in regards with the so-called development? The technocrats tell us what and how, but Baguio's executives don't take heed. It's the proverbial one hand doing one thing and the other another. That is sad, but sadder yet is the suspicion that the other hand is busy stuffing pelf into some pockets.

Consider, for instance, that former sprawling treasure called Camp John Hay. This corner has sang a dirge over its privatization so many times it might sound all too worn. But mourning does not end with just the moment of a passing away. Not especially w hen the loss is daily made. We were told that the last remaining and true watershed inside the city would finally become a forest for the people.