‘Pedestrianization’ Revisited

(Originally published in my sports page column Self-Propelled

in the Feb. 5 to 11, 2012 issue of the Baguio Chronicle

--- a weekly newspaper based in Baguio City, Philippines.)

(I yield my column this week to Arch. Raffy Chan as a guest columnist. He is a Fellow of the United Architects of the Philippines and holder of Master of Arts in Environmental and Habitat Planning.)

NO one will disagree: if one’s means of earning a living was threatened, one’s automatic response would be to rise and face up against anything and everything that may compromise said means (so long as it is legal, of course). This is a logical reaction that cannot be questioned, particularly when the survival of one’s family could be at risk.

Having factored the above into the proposal to pedestrianize portions of the Baguio central business district, we (‘pedestrianization’ proponents) say that we can identify with the business owners at Session Road, on the matter. We need to give a plausible explanation, if only to put this matter in proper context. If you are one of those who are against the proposal, my request is that you read what follows in its entirety. My only request is that you keep an open mind with what you are about to read and objectively think the matter through. Allow me to mention that there are many who have manifested their receptiveness with the concept.

Foremost, please dispel from your mind the thinking that we are out to get you. Do not think that we want your business to fail or go down the drain; nothing could be farther from the truth. Nothing can be gained from such. Many of you are long-time friends and acquaintances, and we want prosperity to continue for the businesses you have. Our agenda is actually for a better Baguio and the improvement what we now have.

From the negative reactions I have heard, the pre-conceived notion is that the matter is a ‘done deal’ and that all of the plans have been laid out. Nothing could be further from the truth. Please understand that the proposals remain exploratory trials as we continually search for the best solutions. Allow me to go on record that many ideas have been presented, a number of studies have been made; but the final course of action remains the biggest question that needs to be answered. Despite our technical training, as architects and planners, we still do not have all of the answers.

It has also been asked, why start the experiments in Session Road? Instead, why not do something about the traffic in the adjoining roads like Harrison or General Luna? Allow me to cite that much has already been done concerning our traffic problems here in Baguio. Certain routes have actually been re-routed, much to the anger of many --- those who have not been receptive to changes in traffic. To the credit of some, we have been successful with certain changes. Slowly, our people have learned to accept the positive changes that have been achieved. Indeed, more can be done elsewhere but we need to re-focus where the effect will count most --- the central business district. We need to reconcile: Session Road is not the target but the urban center of the city. And we never forget: whatever we do in one portion will have outreaching effects on the traffic. Precisely why we need everyone’s receptiveness in our search for what is good for the city.

On the matter of experimenting and searching for answers, allow me to cite one great achievement that has been realized through experimentation: solving the traffic problem that continually plagued the top of Session Road (rotunda of the former concrete pine tree). Recall with me that even as early as the seventies and eighties, several traffic changes have been continually introduced thereat. All of which failed to successfully solve the gridlock during critical hours. Not until we successfully convinced everyone that we were better off having the Baguio Post Office Loop as a large rotunda. Everyone finally understood the error in having the original, small rotunda where several intersections prevailed. No one ever saw the simplicity of the solution: which was to limit the number of intersections, until we had the courage to try it out. Many fumed and even cursed the people behind “another bad experiment” but were eventually converted into believers as everyone realized that we had finally hit an excellent solution when everyone begun to follow the established changes and see the gridlock disappear.

Our vision is to seek out with our local citizenry and city officials, ways to improve the ills of the city. Foremost, we need to reconcile that we need to look for what will benefit the greater majority of the city’s stakeholders. Everyone should like this: if ‘pedestrianization’ is wanted by our citizenry, then so be it. On the other hand, if most of our city stakeholders reject it, then let the decision of the majority rule.

At times, we can become tired of all these proposals for changes. This is probably the reason why Architect Joseph Alabanza and the undersigned never actively campaigned for the ‘pedestrianization’ agenda for so long a period; because we felt that the support has dwindled to almost nil. We were elated that the Inquirer article by Ms. Desiree Caluza rekindled the interest of people, including those from Cebu and Manila who even came all the way to Baguio to support the initiative. We willingly decided to give the matter another go, and hope that more people will be receptive to the trials and experiments.

No one will dispute, that we now have a city that has been plunged into the depths of functional obsolescence. Ask anyone (Baguio residents and visitors alike), and they will enumerate a litany of the ills in our city. Will we just allow our Baguio to continually rot into oblivion, without doing anything? Government should not and cannot be expected to give all of the answers. What’s more, citizen participation is the most vital component that should manifest. True and real governance must be a sincere partnership between a proactive public and government.

Allow me to end with an appropriate Chinese proverb which I propose we all ponder. “It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” Allow me to contextualize. Instead of continually complaining and ranting about the bad traffic in Session Road, the pollution that persists thereat, the slowed business that persists --- because most of the customers now prefer to shop and dine at Luneta Hill (SM has become bad news to many local businesses). Will it not be better to continually search for ways to improve Baguio and revitalize our CBD to offer something new?

Brilliant as some people are, no one has the exclusivity on all of the knowledge in the world; which is the reason why we listen to all who want to voice out an opinion. Despite all of the experience one has, no one can truly say, that he has nothing else to learn; which is why we must all be receptive to proposals and not “shoot them down” on sight (as they are proposed).

Let us all remain united as we face up with the challenge to do something for this city of pines, as we invite all who care for our urban abode to join us; be receptive to change, which will benefit the majority of our city stakeholders.

All for a better Baguio.*