SM Baguio and the pine trees
By jonnifc
@jonnifc (1017)
Philippines
April 11, 2012 12:09pm CST
This issue has been around since last year. SM Baguio wants to relocate almost 200 trees in Luneta Hill for its expansion. In return, SM commits to plant 50,000 trees in "re-greening" of the city. The obvious outcry is save the trees. I agree with that. I lived in Baguio for some time and I do want more trees in the CBD to help clean the air (Baguio is one of the most polluted cities) and for flood and temperature control. Some say it's private property so SM can do whatever it wants. Some say it's the cost of development. Some say since the trees will be relocated anyway and 50,000 more trees will be planted in the future, why not let SM do it since it helps give jobs to the residents. Some say don't cut the trees since Baguio is known for its natural resources, not its malls. Some say don't cut the trees because they don't want another Sendong tragedy. What do you think about it?
2 people like this
6 responses
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
Cutting 200 trees in exchange of 50,000 more is not a bad idea. I think it's even a better idea. I think environmentalist are just protesting just for the sake of protesting without taking into account the benefits of this move. Just like a lawyer who will defend his clients inspite of him knowing that that client is guilty of the crime. 
. I have not been to Baguio, but based on the photos I've seen on what Baguio has become over the years of neglect by the local government's failure to implement proper urban planning, I think it's already in serious condition. it's already over populated, the lust forest in the background is no more since it's already filled with houses. I heard it's becoming more polluted by the minute, etc. etc. If SM can plant 50,000 tress in exchange of the two hundred which is primarily to the benefit of its clients then that for me is more of a favor than a disadvantage because we know for a fact that people will always go to SM. Besides, it's their lot and it's already a private property.
. I have not been to Baguio, but based on the photos I've seen on what Baguio has become over the years of neglect by the local government's failure to implement proper urban planning, I think it's already in serious condition. it's already over populated, the lust forest in the background is no more since it's already filled with houses. I heard it's becoming more polluted by the minute, etc. etc. If SM can plant 50,000 tress in exchange of the two hundred which is primarily to the benefit of its clients then that for me is more of a favor than a disadvantage because we know for a fact that people will always go to SM. Besides, it's their lot and it's already a private property.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
17 Apr 12
I think SM is well equipped and has the financial resources to hire and afford the most brilliant geologist around. It also has it's name to protect so I'm sure it's not going to risk its name by creating something that would put their costumers lives at stake. I'm sure SM has already taken everything into consideration including making any feasibility studies and risks involved before proceeding with the project. I think it's a bit unfair to take against SM the decision on why they haven't planted the 50,000 trees and suspect their intention because being a private entity, they are not required to do it. Baguio is fast decaying and the 50,000 thousand trees could be considered a life saver and SM don't have to bargain for it. For me I would say, let them build that parking lot anyway they won't force anyone to park their cars there. For those who consider it unsafe then they just have to take the side of caution and park somewhere else.
@jonnifc (1017)
• Philippines
13 Apr 12
The problem is that those trees are on a hill and they are holding that hill together. Remove those trees and we don't know how long till the soil erodes and takes whatever was built on top of it along with it.
It's true that Baguio is so, very, super overpopulated. It's not meant to handle all those people. They really need serious changes there so that it won't become a wasteland in the future. Water is scarce, air is the most polluted in the country, tillable and healthy land have been built structures on and they don't even have proper way or place to handle all the city's garbage. It's just on its way to destruction. I fear for the lives of so many people there. Baguio is just a catastrophe waiting to happen.
I hope that, given that it is their private property, they will do their share in fulfilling their social and environmental responsibilities. SM being this big, powerful "being" anyway. I'm just wondering that if SM was really sincere in re-planting trees throughout the city and that it's been a long time since they have planned to pave that area, why didn't they start planting those 50,000 trees long ago? So they can tell the people that "hey, we've been doing all these planting for years now, let us remove these trees from our own lot." I just wonder. Thanks for responding!
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
I say Baguio's environment should not be altered since it is nature that is the crowning glory of this place. SM is trying to reiterate their right as the owner of the property but then as a business man in a place that is very conscious about their environment they should respect what the citizens of the city wants. I know they can improvised or innovate their development works in their property without harming the trees that existed even before they were there.
I guess for posterity sake preserve what is there and if they want to improve their place they should do that without harming the trees. I know it may cost them some money perhaps but I know there is a way for the trees not to be removed. I think SM management is just trying an easy way out of this thing.
@jonnifc (1017)
• Philippines
13 Apr 12
I agree! Though it's their private property, they have a responsibility to the environment, the city and its citizens. Why don't they renovate their existing building? If it's only a parking lot that they want to build, why not build a multi-level parking structure at the area facing Upper Session? They have this wide driveway where vehicles coming from Session Road can go into SM property (maybe drop off passengers) and cross over to the other side. That's just open space. They can dig there and build their additional parking space. They can even extend their existing parking lots by using that same piece of land. SM Megamall did that. They added to their existing structures to provide more parking spaces. Why can't SM Baguio do the same? Just because there's a vacant lot close by? The thing is, that lot is not vacant. There are trees living there. Ugh! Greed at its best! Thanks for responding, though! Cheers!
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
WEll the fact that the land was sold to a private company, i think this meant that they should give them respect about what they ought to do with their property. Just to be fair, right... i am not for the developer right now but this is something that can be totally avoided by not allowing the corporation to acquire the property we want to protect. this should have been avoided from the beginning and to try to stop them now is really being reactive not preventive (from our government's pov). the government is partly to be blamed here, if you ask me. why let all the work be done by the people who would oppose when they can totally not have this transaction approved in the first place.
@jonnifc (1017)
• Philippines
13 Apr 12
I agree. If the local government really wanted to protect the ecology of a few places in the city center, they shouldn't have been available for sale. And to SMDC, at that. We all know that SM will just pave it all to build their mall, anyway. That's the problem with government in Baguio. They do not see the long term effects of their decisions. Thanks for responding!
@watergirl (567)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
I saw the news yesterday and I was so sad and disappointed. I am sad for the environment and the people fighting for the environment. I am disappointed with the government officials and capitalists who are involved. Around 182 trees some of 30 years are to be transplanted. DENR and the local government officials approved it saying it's a private lot and that SM can do what it pleases with it. They say SM will be balling these trees and planting more trees to show its concern for the environment. But studies show that balling has a 50% survival rate for pine seedlings but has lower chance of survival for timber at around 17%. All this to make way for a parking lot! Shame.
@jonnifc (1017)
• Philippines
13 Apr 12
It's really a shame! Those are full grown trees already. They might not survive the transplanting. I really fear for the lives of those in Baguio. So many catastrophes are just waiting to happen there because of denudation and neglect. If local government was so serious in preserving certain areas for its ecology, then they shouldn't have sold Luneta Hill for development. Now that it is private property, they have lost their right to protect that land. The whole thing saddens me. 
But thanks for your response to this discussion!
But thanks for your response to this discussion!
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
12 Apr 12
Since you have been in Baguio for a long time, did you remember Session Road with the scent of the pine trees? Did you remember that not once were there pine trees cut in Luneta hill that SM is occupying now? Baguio has become a commercialized city but it does not mean that we have to sacrifice the pine trees for the benefit of business expansion. Nature and improvements can be combined successfully without becoming a detriment to the community. You might not have been around the July 16, 1991 earthquake in Baguio City where we witnessed the erosion of mountains since there were no more trees. That is one of the reasons why the population of Baguio is very adamant about the cutting of the pine trees in that hill. They have suffered from the effects of the denudation of the mountains. In my youthful years in Baguio, it was really a portion of heaven on earth. Nature was at its best then and we would trek the mountains full of pine trees. I really miss the fresh scent of the pine trees just short distance from the house in Bokawkan Road. What we see in Baguio now are the hotels, condos, residential houses and commercial spaces all vying for the little space that Baguio has. What space is left for the pine trees to thrive? Almost none, I suppose.
@jonnifc (1017)
• Philippines
13 Apr 12
It's been a long time since I smelled the scent of pine trees when I am in Session Road. I wasn't there when the earthquake hit but I can imagine the devastation that residents felt that time. There are hardly any trees left in the central business district of the city. Burnham Park has some trees. But still there are floods. Baguio is over-populated and the land itself cannot handle so many people using it. So they shouldn't make the problem worse. It's just sad that despite the reality of the effects of environmental destruction, they still don't want to do what is right for Baguio. Thanks for your response, by the way. =)
@honest_efforts100 (1607)
• India
25 Jul 12
If the trees are relocated then there will be a gain from more trees being planted. Giving up 200 trees for 50000 is not a bad deal for me to agree to. In fact it will also give other people a means of livelihood since they are going to earn from the activity.
