In general terms, these are the general principles the petioners propose to affect a better Baguio City
1. There should be City wide programs to arrest environmental degradation;
2. There should be implementation of a realistic anti-squatting program that will not allow encroachment on forests and watersheds by providing alternative sites to the homeless;
3. There should be a traffic management summit participated in by public utility operators, socio-civic organizations and the local government to arrive at solutions to traffic problems;
4. That the city participates in the multi-sectoral group effort to address its development issues so it can move forward towards its aim as a Heritage City/ a Dream City.
5. That the City thinks big in terms of its full tourist potential; to go beyond Panagbenga; to tap its authentically unique resource to promote more programs “ala-Canao iti Umili.”
Please read more of the petition to understand their cause better. I've just signed up too, maybe it would make a difference somehow. O0
Many thanks, ArchAugust. You must agree that these proposals are all viable. I support re-greening programs and if I were there, I'd do it, too. However, we do need more policies and programs in place to stem the rapid urbanization that the city council has chosen to undertake.
There ARE MANY unimaginable polices and programs of the local government...PROBLEM is...NO IMPLEMENTATION!
You need to channel this petition to a more direct approach like tapping city councilors and other known baguio citizens to stregthen their stand on this over-urbanization problem or form a group to ACT on this matter...or take this to the local media to air more documentaries WHICH OF COURSE NEEDS to be "funded"...
Jimili, my friend, the last thing we need in a campaign similar to this is negativism. "United we stand, divided we fall," as the saying goes. We all want the same thing and that is to stem this fast-paced urbanization so that the city we all are passionate about can have a more sustainable future. I believe that you do not have to be a prominent person to make a difference. A beautiful garden starts with a seed. Think about it my friend. Cynicism is common nowadays but do not let it blind your quest to make a difference. C'mon, my friend, it may just be your signature that might make the difference.
Chrissy, I am not trying to stain negativism to this attempt. I am simply trying to GIVE YOU REALITY! The petition is full of WHAT SHOULD BE DONE and HOW SHOULD IT BE DONE! In fact, forgive me for being blunt but the petition is not even the "seed"!
If there's a difference that I can contribute to the local community, that would be asking them WHAT CAN I DO to help with the re-greening program of Baguio! Surely, I understand what you're trying to do and we really don't need to be somebody to affect changes.
To give you an example, BPC ( this online community) or Baguio Forumers Club (organized by young professionals) is a potential to bring realistic changes to local Baguio! SUPPORT and FUND some of the re-greening projects of these groups and soon they will be heard and the VOICE of these dedicated and COMMITTED individuals ( in baguio or abroad) through ACTION is STRONGER than any papers you throw to the local politicians! Baguio doesn't need signatures...Baguio needs a group of people who will do SIMPLE yet FRUITFUL projects to help maintain Baguio...a garden of flowers!
The petition might have reached the local politicians; and they would most likely say : YES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS! WE WILL DO EVERYTHING THE BEST WE CAN!"
Then what??
