The most polluted city?

The Philippine STAR ran an editorial a few days ago that caused quite a stir among local politicians up here. A study, conducted nationwide by the World Bank in 2001, claimed that Baguio was the most polluted urban center in the country, followed by Metro Manila, Cebu then Davao City. When I came across this I couldn’t believe it! How could Baguio possibly be more polluted than Manila? The results of the survey showed that Baguio’s air has the highest concentration of PM10 particles emitted by diesel engines, power generation using fossil fuels, and the burning of solid waste. Various rebuttals have appeared in different broadsheets, and it seems that our local politicians viewed the editorial as an attack on the city. Mayor Vergara even says in an interview with The STAR that, "There is no basis in unduly alarming and scaring our visitors," and he insists that Baguio’s air is safe and won’t make anyone sick. Our local newspapers also have reports saying that the DENR declares Baguio’s air as safe and the pollution remains within tolerable levels. At the end of that particular article our mayor says that the editorial, "unfairly portrayed Baguio, without basis of truth and fact, thus serving to discourage tourist arrivals during the Flower Festival." If not corrected, he says, "the report will singlehandedly kill the local tourism industry."

Being a Baguio resident I too would have vehemently protested the claims, if they were false, however, there is truth in what Mr. Belmonte wrote. He says, "If the city starts smelling like Metro Manila and other urban areas in the lowlands, why bother going up to the Cordilleras at all?" Fact of the matter is, and I see this everyday, Baguio is turning into another Manila. If that were to happen why would anyone want to visit a Manila-wannabe city?

Coming from a Baguio resident, this place is metamorphosing into a concrete jungle at an alarming rate, and the changes are obvious. Just recently hundreds of century-old trees were cut down to make way for an SM mall. The temperature in that particular area of town seems to have increased, and the dust from the construction site has spread towards the surrounding parks and schools. There are also rumors concerning the environmental permits. I still wonder why there is need for another mall? It seems as though Baguio policy makers are in such a hurry to "keep up with the Joneses" so to speak that they forget what makes Baguio special. Despite claims that there is a relentless (anti) smoke-belching drive I have yet to see anyone apprehended by the police. Chances are you will be following a cloud of diesel smoke while driving around.

Some may recall that Baguio was voted as the "cleanest and greenest city" in the Philippines on more than one occasion, but that hasn’t happened in years. Aren’t the local politicians wondering why? Baguio is well on its way to becoming another faceless urban city, covered in concrete, swelling in traffic, and drowning in pollution. If they are so worried about tourism then they should take steps to make sure that Baguio stays the way it is. Tourists come up to enjoy the weather, the fresh air, and to be closer to nature. Not for the malls.

Politicians can argue all they want about the quality of the air up here, but when it comes down to it what other people have to say really does matter. The editorial did make a lot of sense, and even if our mayor doesn’t agree with it, I’m sure a large number of Baguio residents do. It wasn’t an attack, but a reminder that we may lose the Baguio of old. I have a lot of love for my city, and criticism, as long as it is constructive, should be listened to.