Press Release
Sept. 1, 2004

BAGUIO@95, ENDURING THE SAME PREDICAMENTS

Statement of Tongtongan Ti Umili-Cordillera Peoples Alliance for Baguio Day 2004
FOR REFERENCE: Chie Galvez, Deputy Secretary-General (Tongtongan Ti Umili)

On September 1, 1909 Baguio City was formally founded as the second chartered city in the country.

Ninety five years later, Baguio has yet to become the place that its people desire—free from exploitative economic programs and political factionalism and controversies.

Baguio@95 – REELING FROM NATIONAL ECONOMIC DISTRESS

The national government’s aggressive implementation of privatization (the disengagement of the government from its inherent functions – to provide basic social services, utilities, infrastructures etc.), in Baguio had resulted to further marginalization of the vast majority of its people.

Housing, Education and Health Services among other basic social needs are now in the process of ‘commodification’ due to the entry of greedy capitalists to ‘trade in services’. This privatization scheme has aggravated the unemployment situation in the city and will add-up to the increasing number of urban poor families.

Historically, the government has passed on its housing program even the so-called socialized housing to the private sector. However, these socialized housing units are priced beyond the reach of urban poor families. In Baguio, the priority in land distribution to bonafide residents and actual occupants remains unfulfilled. Land conflicts continue to escalate totally undermining the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their Ancestral Land.

Similarly, the Health Sector is currently experiencing the deleterious effect of globalization. The different departments of Baguio General Hospital (BGH) are being privatized piecemeal. Its dialysis center is said to be controlled by a US firm. BGH has also two newly constructed buildings for pay wards. Likewise, the Baguio Health Department had increased its fees on services and laboratory fees.

A distressed Educational System also haunts the city. An average class size in Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) and Pines City National High School (PCNHS) ranges from 70-80 students. The highest recorded figure (as of SY 2002-2003) was 92 students per teacher in BCNHS Fort Del Pilar Annex.

In the tertiary level, students are burdened with unending increases in tuition fees and miscellaneous fees every opening of semester. A private Higher Education Institution in the city is also using the carry-over scheme to impose these increases.

Ironically, the Department of Education had proposed the Bridge Program amid meager budget and the hardships that the students and their parents have to endure for a ‘quality education’ for them/their children.

Water and electric utilities in the city are also troubled by privatization: the World Bank is pressuring electric cooperatives in the country to ‘corporatize’ while the Baguio Water District will also be privatized. A looming water crisis is approaching as the majority of the people are coping with rationed water supply while Camp John Hay monopolizes major water sources in the city. The national government is also declaring an imminent power crisis in order to increase electric rates. In the end, the consumers will be burdened by endless increases in electric and water rates if these privatization plans succeed, and if the water and power crises would not be resolved.

Lastly, even with the recent Executive Order of the City Mayor, Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation remains in an arrogant mode. And plans are afoot for the entry of a new private developer in the Baguio City Market again threatening the market stall owners and vendors.

Baguio@95 – STRUGGLING FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE

After a seemingly endless ‘rigodon’ of the 2 highest officials in the city, we now have a pro-people city executive. Mayor Braulio Yaranon stressed in his program the delivery of basic social services and good governance.

However, fundamental questions linger. With the national government’s drive for privatization and austerity measures amid fiscal crisis, how can he push for his program to deliver basic social services? How will righteous governance emanates in the city when some local officials (if not majority of them) are involved in corruption and controversies (like the Jadewell, Casino and Jueteng fiascos)? In addition, the task to consolidate the City Council and appoint the right person in public office is still to be fulfilled.

Baguio@95 – THE URGENT TASKS AHEAD

After the Baguio people decided for a ‘turning point’ in the city’s political leadership, we still endure the same predicaments. These problems are inherent to the societal character of the Philippines being a semi-colony of countless foreign masters. The Baguio Charter was a deceitful act of the American master only to legitimize its interest in the city like in the case of Camp John Hay. Thus, Baguio City (like the rest of the country) is driven by the policies agreeable to foreign corporations and nations. It is thus necessary to root out these problems, propose alternatives and uplift the people’s condition.

We cannot also deny the necessity for the city government to restore order, integrity and competence in public service. Thus, the city executive ought to unite with the rest of the local officials as well as put qualified and respected persons in public office. Stop partisan politicking for the interest of the public.

In due time, Baguio will live-up to the expectations of its populace. But for now, we pose these challenges to our local officials and to the citizens themselves of our beloved city.

On the occasion of the city’s 95th anniversary, we reiterate our call:
LET’S MAKE BAGUIO THE CITY WE WANT IT TO BE!