Baguio Flyover Project May Trigger 
Next Earthquake Tragedy

Loca executives are planning to construct a huge flyover to ease traffic congestion in Baguio, described by World Bank as the Philippines’ worst-polluted city. But why are concerned groups and individuals opposing it?

BY IRA PEDRASA
Bulatlat.com

BAGUIO CITY – A former mayor of this city, Catholic nuns, businessmen, students, environmentalists and cause-oriented groups warn that Baguio faces another tragedy similar to the 1990 earthquake if a proposed P89-million flyover is built.

The 296-meter long flyover, a project of the city government jointly with the Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR), will rise at the Baguio General Hospital Rotunda. The project, its proponents say, will decongest traffic at the BGH traffic chokepoint which intersects Marcos Highway, Gov. Pack Road, Kisa Road and Kennon Road Junction.

Engr. Bonifacio dela Peña, the project's contractor, has assured Baguio residents that safety measures will be observed in the project’s construction. But this is enough to assuage fears raised by many local city residents.

Former city mayor Virginia de Guia says that once the flyover is constructed, Baguio is doomed to face another disaster similar to the earthquake that hit the city and neighboring provinces on July 16, 1990. The 1990 earthquake killed scores of people, toppled many buildings and practically brought the city’s tourism economy to a halt.

De Guia cites data from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) showing that the earthquake generator Tuba River Fault is five kilometers near the project site and that the project may trigger another earquake with an intensity of 7.5 Richter scale.

Environmentalists also say that water basins and other springs such as the Bued River will be destroyed by the flyover. In addition, they say, the project will increase pollution in the city as it will tend to increase the number of vehicles plying the flyover. Baguio, according to a recent World Bank study, is the country’s most polluted city.

The construction of the flyover will also demolish part of the BGH park, a favorite spot for nature lovers and students. DENR-CAR officials have admitted that two mature trees and 30 ornamental plants and young trees will be uprooted to make way for the project.

Graft and corruption

Leaders of Tongtongan ti Umili (TTU – People’s Dialogue) also believe the project “lacks the rationale for its necessity and social acceptability.” The TTU says that there were no public consultations on the project. In addition, the group says that the standing budget also has the makings of graft and corruption.

Ariel de Dios, owner of Pancake House and Petron (in front of BGH), opposes the construction of the flyover saying that establishments around the area were neither consulted nor informed about the possible impact of the project on their businesses.

The director and other nuns of St. Francis at the CICM Home Sweet Home dormitory area also argue that the project lacks pedestrian lanes. They question the “unfriendly” environment that students particularly those living in the dormitory have to face later.

Most residents in the area are studying at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Baguio, another place that is expected to be affected by the project. The students have also joined the opposition to the project.

But Baguio General Hospital (BGH) Director Dr. Manuel Factora disagrees. He says that any change that would cater to the needs of the hospital is “very welcome.” According to him, the easing of the traffic would bring convenience to the hospital’s prospective patients.

Revision

Initially, the flyover project spanned 178 meters. After its endorsement by the city council, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) issued an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) to the DPWH-CAR on Sept. 16, 2002.

A month later, however, the DPWH revised the project. Instead of just 178 meters, the span was increased to 296 meters at the BGH Rotunda.

Estimated to cost P88.4 million ($1.61 million based on an exchange rate of P54.74 per US dollar), the project currently has available funds amounting to only P43.83 million ($800,548). According to Rep. Mauricio Domogan, “the (excess from the rehabilitation of the Marcos Highway) was earmarked for that area.”

Local executives say the rest of the funds will be sourced from the budget in the following years.

Despite the snowballing opposition to the project, it was only last Feb. 28 that the council addressed the issues raised by concerned groups.

Last December, Sen. Juan Flavier who hails from Baguio ordered an investigation into the reported use of the original ECC (with the original 179 meter-long flyover proposal) as basis for the revised plan. The ECC for the latter is yet to be approved.

By the year 2018, Baguio is seen to be heavily congested with traffic. At the moment, the city is experimenting with the color-coding scheme to ease the traffic pain. Bulatlat.com

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