Baguio will not suffer same fate as Boracay, officials claim

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Baguio City will not likely suffer the same fate of Boracay, officials of the popular tourist destination said.

"We do not see that happening," assured Baguio City councilor Elmer Datuin, chairman of the city council's tourism committee, while brushing off speculation of a closure similar to one ordered for Boracay. Boracay has been ordered closed down for six months so, the government said, the island can undergo rehabilitation for environmental damage.

Although admitting that brisk migration rate to the city has contributed to population growth, Datuin stressed the city has been working to meet the growing needs of the mountain resort city.

Philippine Star columnist Mary Ann Ll. Reyes last week said Baguio City will soon be dead saying "Baguio, the Philippines' summer capital, has a capacity of 20,000 inhabitants but due to influx of migrants and tourists, it now has a daytime population of about 400,000, which can balloon to more than 1.5 million during the Panagbenga Flower Festival."

Datuin co-chaired the 2018 Panagbenga festival that lured over a million visitors to the city.

'Locals hate holidays, summer'

Reyes said in her column that locals generally hate it when the holidays and summer season arrives. 

"And why not? Traffic, which is already bad, worsens so that a typical 15-minute ride could stretch to more than an hour. The streets are turned to parking lots. This is because many establishments do not have their own parking areas. How can you operate a hotel and have a parking area that can only accommodate 10 vehicles at any given time? Where are the other cars supposed to park? Multiply this situation a hundredfold, and you get a pretty good picture of Baguio at the present time."

Reyes also said "garbage, pollution, wanton and illegal cutting of trees, leveling of mountain, air and noise pollution, overpopulation, as well as climate change has affected the city and will suffer the same fate as Boracay."

But, Datuin said, the local government is "doing everything to remain a living city."

'Baguio development plan in place'

In 2013, a presidential task was formed for both Boracay and Baguio, which the Palace already considered "fragile" at the time.

Datuin argued a development plan was presented then, and efforts are still underway to address issues on population growth and tourism.

Back then, the Boracay task force was set to implement the removal of more than 200 illegal structures along the white sand to preserve the environment and set standards for tourism infrastructure.

"It is very unfortunate for Boracay, but it is not the same for Baguio," Datuin maintained.

While the city government and local businesses want to make sure Baguio will not suffer the same fate as Boracay, Mayor Mauricio Domogan reiterated the city's situation is different. He said work is being done on programs and ordinances to save and maintain the city's environment.

The city has banned the use of plastic from May 1.
 
The mayor added the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources has so far not reported environmental degradation in the city.

Businesses in the city also comply with environmental laws and regulations, and those found violating them are immediately compelled to comply, the mayor said.

Anthony de Leon, president of the Hotels and Restaurant Association of Baguio and manager of the city's five-star Baguio Country Club resort hotel, suggested that the city consider giving local businesses incentives for corporate social responsibility programs to preserve the environment. These will work alongside penalties for companies that violate environmental guidelines.

The Environment and Management Bureau had met with businesses in the city to inform them of new environmental regulations for businesses. The hotel and restaurants association has also vowed to go on an information campaign for all its members on the new rules.