By Antonio M. Clarapols

Going to the Pine City of Baguio is not what it used to be. We were fortunate enough to see it when the scent of pine was the air that we breathe.

Those were the good old days. I am not saying it cannot be done – to turn back the clock, to have that second chance. When we used to travel to Baguio by land all that we saw were farmlands. We had food security. From the Central Plains to foot of the Cordillera Mountains, the land was covered with farms and rivers were filled with water. We had water in abundance.

Once we entered Benguet, the forest was lush and green, the river beside Kennon Road was gushing with clear water. We were greeted by the scent of pine as we entered the city of Baguio.

Today, our beloved Baguio City and summer capital has developed every square inch and is expanding into an urban jungle. Let us learn from other cities and be sustainable and clean. Gone are the farmlands along the scenic route to Baguio. Gone are all greenery and rivers. Every farm has been turned into concrete.

They took away our food security. They felled the forest that gave us water. They built and polluted the air. They took away the scent of pine, the air, water, food, forest, mineral wealth, biodiversity, culture and built an urban jungle.

It is not too late to reverse the tide. Do your share and call on the government to stop the ecological time bomb from ticking and give us back that scent of pine.

We all must do our share and like flowers bloom in numbers and heroes we are for the environment. The future of humankind is in danger and it is our duty to protect Mother Earth.