Baguio's tree lovers protest parking lot with song and skits

Armi Millare of Up Dharma Down plays the first few notes of the band hit "Tadhana" and there was a collective sound of glee that resonated not in a music bar but in an open space in Baguio City, where students, musicians, artists and residents were one with the cool breeze, and their beloved trees.  

The evening concert came after the tree-planting activity and prayer rally of "Project Save 182," a coalition headed by environmental activist Dr. Michael Bengwayan calling for the trashing of SM Baguio’s redevelopment plan that involves the earth-balling of 182 trees.  

On the morning of February 5, more than 182 new trees were planted at the Pines of the World park, in a symbolic act by some 200 advocates from Baguio and Manila.  

“Occupy SM” protesters camp at the park in an effort to protect 182 trees from being earth-balled by SM Baguio. Photo by Lian Buan

Approved by city, DENR

The redevelopment plan was given the green light by the DENR and the local government of Baguio. According to DENR-CAR Regional Executive Director Clarence Baguilat, when SM applied to ball the trees to pave the way for the mall’s expansion, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje approved it on certain conditions, one of which was that SM "transplant" the trees and plant 50 saplings for every one tree uprooted.  

“It’s like being allowed to kill a person, provided that I make 50 new babies,” said Conviron Altatis, one of the activists who helped start the movement, using Facebook primarily.  

Altatis performed a skit about SM founder Henry Sy and Henry Sy’s grandson. His amusing performance earned him applause, especially when he delivered his last line: “I asked my Lolo Henry, ‘Lolo, if we become grandparents, what is the story you would like us to tell them? That there used to be pine trees in Baguio, or that there used to be an SM in Baguio?’”  

‘Occupy’  

They call it "Occupy SM," a variation of the US movement Occupy Wall Street to protest corporate greed. Weeks before, the same group of people marched up Baguio's main artery, Session Road, to stage a rally filled with music and calls to, as seen in one of the signs, “cut your greed, not our trees.”  

SM Management has clarified on its web site that "We are not cutting trees. Rather, we are going to ball out some trees carefully and have utilized recommended specialists for this activity who will replant them in designated areas within the SM property."  SM has also said they are going to build on the land where the trees were removed a multi-leveled parking lot using green architecture and technology. The parking project will help decongest traffic, the company says, and use only natural light, the first of its kind in the country.  

But the project's opponents equate balling with the cutting of trees.   

Bengwayan told GMA News Online that earth-balling will be tantamount to killing. When 475 trees were earth-balled in Camp John Hay in 1994, Bengwayan said there was only a 17% chance of survival due to “transplant shock." Out of the 475 trees in John Hay, only 43 survived.   

“17% is better than none,” said the DENR's Baguilat.  

- - -  

As dawn broke through the pine trees, Up Dharma Down channeled Joni Mitchell as Armi sang, “...They paved paradise, put up a parking lot,” quieting the crowd into reflection.   

The protesters had camped overnight in the park, praying a brand new day under the lush pines would offer some hope. Just meters away up the hill, it was another morning of robust business for the mall. - HS, GMA News