Baguio residents march to save trees in mall project
BAGUIO, Philippines – More than 3,000 people marched across the streets of Baguio City on Friday to protest the planned uprooting of nearly 200 trees for the construction of a 7-floor parking building.
SM City Baguio was granted a cutting-balling permit by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) last October.
The protesters blame the local government and the DENR for approving the project.
“They are only listening to the city officials and to the DENR. Where is our voice? This is the time for us to bring out our voice,” said Dr. Michael Bengwayan.
SM management, meanwhile, insisted that no trees will be killed since they will all be replanted.
It added that the project will provide jobs and help promote tourism.
“Ang gagawin ng SM ay ire-relocate at i-e-earthball lahat ng puno, using the approved methodology,” said Engr. Bien Mateo, vice president for operations for SM.
Environmentalists, however, warned that there is no guarantee that all of the replanted trees will survive.
“There are species like the pine tree, which are very sensitive sa stress. ‘Yung movement niya kapag i-earthball mo ‘yan, you have to dig deeper,” said Moises Bai of the Forest Management Service.
Following the protest, the city council has promised to investigate the issue.
“The rights of the private owner may be regulated by the government if it affects public welfare,” said Councilor Lourdes Tabanda.
Councilors said the permit given to SM can still be revoked if proven the project is detrimental. -- ANC
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SM now controls the entire Philippines
Most Filipinos are now like zombies,
they follow and obey SM
as if they are hypnotized.
The Philippines now looks so lousy and seem to be a place for low IQ.
I do not go to SM,
they virtually control the entire Philippines.
Bully other stores and bully suppliers.
They intimidate suppliers and strong arm everyone.
Boycott SM,
it is not good for the Philippines.
Support other business establishments.
Otherwise, the Philippines will go down the drain
giving too much power to one Family.
Parking are supposed to be free,
but because politicians are afraid of them,
Parking fee instead of parking free
even if it is in our law that buyers are suppose to have free parking fee.
They intimidate suppliers to give higher prices to competitors, they intimidate store owners to open stores
to places they will lose money like branded products are forced to open stores in the province even if they will lose money, otherwise they are threaten to be vacated from their stores in metro manila.
All other stores virtually lose business when SM opens up.
They have the power to demand all traffic route from politicians to be directed to their stores away from competitors.
They are able to buy vast lands through political connections, buy it at a very low price just like the baguio property w/c was previously a government property.
Just search the baguio property complaint.
And provincial properties too, including condos.
Even the media is intimidated.
Reports are blacked out.
Just like the ondoy incident where reports from netizen indicate many died in malls but it was never mentioned in the media.
The media is afraid of them because of sponsorship and advertisement pullout threat.
aside from extras, for you know what.
They are able to change zoning, like the 2 projects near ateneo.
It used to be residential area with limited height,
many have attempted but failed to get a permit to build a tall building,
but when SM entered the scene,
they were allowed,
to the disgust of nearby resident and the Ateneo school.
search for it in google,
almost the entire QC councilors approved it w/c
is against the zoning.
Money can virtually buy anything.
Now ateneo looks like DLSU,
surrounded by buildings.
What was once a skyview, now looks like jungle of buildings.
As you know, red tape and corruptions is rampant.
Thats why it is more fun in the Philippines
for powerful people
because you can get away with everything.
I even bet this will be deleted by the editor of abscbn.
If they don't then i salute abscbn.
SM now controls the entire Philippines
Most Filipinos are now like zombies,
they follow and obey SM
as if they are hypnotized.
The Philippines now looks so lousy and seem to be a place for low IQ.
I do not go to SM,
they virtually control the entire Philippines.
Bully other stores and bully suppliers.
They intimidate suppliers and strong arm everyone.
Boycott SM,
it is not good for the Philippines.
Support other business establishments.
Otherwise, the Philippines will go down the drain
giving too much power to one Family.
Parking are supposed to be free,
but because politicians are afraid of them,
Parking fee instead of parking free
even if it is in our law that buyers are suppose to have free parking fee.
They intimidate suppliers to give higher prices to competitors, they intimidate store owners to open stores
to places they will lose money like branded products are forced to open stores in the province even if they will lose money, otherwise they are threaten to be vacated from their stores in metro manila.
All other stores virtually lose business when SM opens up.
They have the power to demand all traffic route from politicians to be directed to their stores away from competitors.
They are able to buy vast lands through political connections, buy it at a very low price just like the baguio property w/c was previously a government property.
Just search the baguio property complaint.
And provincial properties too, including condos.
Even the media is intimidated.
Reports are blacked out.
Just like the ondoy incident where reports from netizen indicate many died in malls but it was never mentioned in the media.
The media is afraid of them because of sponsorship and advertisement pullout threat.
aside from extras, for you know what.
They are able to change zoning, like the 2 projects near ateneo.
It used to be residential area with limited height,
many have attempted but failed to get a permit to build a tall building,
but when SM entered the scene,
they were allowed,
to the disgust of nearby resident and the Ateneo school.
search for it in google,
almost the entire QC councilors approved it w/c
is against the zoning.
Money can virtually buy anything.
Now ateneo looks like DLSU,
surrounded by buildings.
What was once a skyview, now looks like jungle of buildings.
As you know, red tape and corruptions is rampant.
Thats why it is more fun in the Philippines
for powerful people
because you can get away with everything.
I even bet this will be deleted by the editor of abscbn.
If they don't then i salute abscbn.