Casiño heeds call to boycott SM

2 MIN READ

By KIMBERLIE N. QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — In solidarity with groups and individuals fighting for the protection of the city’s environment and heritage, Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño said he will not go to the giant mall currently facing growing protests against its expansion plans.

Casiño, who was in the city to attend a teacher’s activity led by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), also met with the “Save the 182”, an alliance of groups and individuals opposed to the cutting of 182 pine trees to give way to a parking space and mall extension.

“Not going to the mall is my small way of showing support to the groups who want to save the few remaining pine trees in Baguio. If the pine trees are all gone then Baguio will no longer be considered the city of pines,” he reiterated.

He further said that the cold weather and the smell of pine trees are the very reasons why he looks forward to his visits to the city. He pointed out that there is really a need to preserve the remaining pine trees and the city’s environment as a whole.

Casiño disclosed that apart from the environmental issue, is the land and land acquisition issue, and the role of government agencies, and officials in the said transactions. He said in the process, he learned that the cutting of the pines trees is just the tip of the iceberg.

According to the progressive lawmaker, from his initial consultations there are a lot of unanswered questions regarding the controversial issue. “First among these is that, is the action legal? Does it not violate existing laws and executive orders prohibiting such activities? Did it undergo the proper procedures for public hearing and consent?”

“Second, with the planned expansion, does the city have the capacity to accommodate added infrastructure and more people, considering that the city is already overpopulated?

The mall’s expansion would require more resources like energy, water and garbage disposal facilities. Where are these to be sourced or are they also to share the limited resources of Baguio residents who are now experiencing a water and garbage crisis?”

Casiño stressed that these are just the initial questions that crop up and have to be addressed favourably on the side of the people.

“We must reiterate that such an overdevelopment of a fragile mountain ecosystem is not only toying with the environment but with the lives of the residents in the area.

A lot of issues have to be addressed before it would push through and the people must fully agree with them. A blind drive for profit simply can not be especially where the environment and people’s lives are at stake,” he said.

The progressive solon committed to push for a congressional inquiry to bring the said issues out in the open and hopefully shed more light on them. He added that he is supporting a resolution to investigate the matter which has already been filed by Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino. # nordis.net