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Business in Baguio parks prevails despite Ramos EO

BAGUIO CITY (Oct. 7) — Executive Order 224 states that parks are outside the commerce of man, making these places supposedly free from commercial buildings and stalls. EO 224 was signed under the Ramos administration. In this city, however, many, including city officials have circumvented EO 224.

As early as the mid-70s, 10 concessionaires have been doing business at Burnham Park. The Baguio Recreational and Service Groups (BRSG) signed an agreement with the city government then to construct commercial buildings and stalls in the park.

The Solibao and Ganza restaurants, and several stores at the biking area like the Fernandez Store and Peter Pan are actually sources of income for the city government, with rentals reaching up to P10,000 monthly. The lease is for 25 years and renewable for another 25 years depending on whether the city will need the area.

Through EO 224, operation and maintenance of city parks were transferred to the city government from the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and the National Parks Development Council (NPDC). The yearly budget for the park is about P10 million, which the PTA promised to give for a period of ten years starting 1996 for its maintenance and beautification.

City Councilor Edilberto Tenefrancia said “the demolition (of stalls) at the Burnham Park and other parks should not be selective in order to be fair because according to the law all business establishments should be outside the park and no one shall be exempted.” Tenefrancia added, “If the ambulant vendors are being driven away from selling inside the Burnham Park, why are there many stalls and restaurants inside the park?”

According to Thelma Manaois of the City Treasurer’s Office, “We are forced to issue temporary permits to applicants because when they come to the office the papers were already approved by the City Architect Ignacio Estipona. I pity those people who are getting temporary permits because those stalls will be demolished soon and we cannot do anything because our work is just ministerial.”

During demolition, establishments within parks are spared because they have permits. Those stalls along sidewalks and extension stalls in the market area are demolished because they cannot show anything. But how about also the law that is being violated by these business establishments in the parks, Will they remain, while others are prohibited?” she said.

“Misunderstood”

Engr. Nazita Bañez, head of the city demolition team said, “Many people do not understand my job. This job is not easy. While it is true that there are people who get hurt along the way, they must understand that they are violating the law.” Bañez said that many illegal stalls and vendors are selling along the sidewalks which cause obstruction to pedestrians. According to her, every stall in the public market extending over one meter to the sidewalks will be confiscated to make it easier for people in the market because it is one of the busiest areas in the city”.

Bañez also stressed that, “all the establishment and stalls in the parks have permits. That is why we cannot demolish them except Big Mak since it has not renewed its permit, so we were forced to demolish it”.

Vendors’ side

Burnham Park stall owner Vanessa Fernandez has been doing business there for 12 years. Rent started at P2,500 then. Fernandez now pays P8,000 monthly.

“Kahit papaano ay may nagaganansya kami lalo sa Sabado at Linggo” (It’s a blessing business is good on weekends), she said. Like other vendors, summer and December are good times for business, when tourists flock to the city.

Fernandez explained that their permit secures their place in the park.

“Hindi nila kami puwedeng paalisin kasi lahat dito ay may permit. Isa pa, nasa kasulatan na mapapaalis lang kami dito kung kailangan na ng syudad itong lugar at siyempre kung wala kang permit at di ka nagbabayad sa city hall ng upa mo,” (Our permits allow us to work here without the threat of demolition. Besides, we are paying the city government what is due it. Also, our agreement with the city government states that they can only evict us if the city needs this area for development and of course if one does not have any permit) she said.

Taho vendor Jun Rona said, “Mula noong nagdedemolis na sila sa utos ni dating Mayor Vergara, wala na kaming kita. Karamihan pa sa amin ay nag-aabuno sa boss namin kapag hindi naubos ang paninda. Tatlo-tatlong grupo ang ang humuhuli sa amin, iyong demolition team ni Bañez, mga security sa parke at kung minsan pa nakikialam ang mga pulis. Kung minsan nga naisip namin na huwag na lang magtinda kasi wala ring tubo, pero siguradong gugutumin ka naman kapag walang trabaho”, (Since ex-mayor Vergara ordered the demolitions, we were hard up selling our goods. We even had to pay our employers for those unsold. The city demolition team, park security and sometimes, the policemen chase us all at once. If we don’t work we don’t eat) he said.

He lamented that with the crisis the country is in now, it is almost impossible to really earn and save. He added that “Wala kang asenso sa buhay hanggang nandyan ang mga salot na nanghuhuli dahil hindi nila maunawaan ang ginagawang pagpapakahirap ng kapwa nila. Kahit sinong nagtitinda ang tanungin mo, hirap na hirap sila talaga sa ganitong sitwasyon,” (Whatever remedy we do to be able to sell, we remain poor if there are people who cannot understand what we have to do to survive. Ask any vendor, everyone is really hard-up with this situation), he added.

The Burnham Park is located right in the heart of the city. This park includes a boating area, biking lane, skating rink, children’s park, parade grounds, athletic bowl and an orchidarium.

Fernandez, Rona and other vendors can only hope that the law is fair to all, whether rich or poor. # Johnny Fialen for NORDIS

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