BY: JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR

The revised Baguio City Charter must undergo further review to ensure it addresses the actual needs of residents, according to Councilor Isabelo “Poppo” Cosalan Jr.

At 79 years old, Modesta Domingo has witnessed the transformation of Baguio City. She recalled how her family moved to the city in search of opportunities in the woodcarving trade.

“When we moved here, there were only a few houses made of wood. Now, there are so many,” she said.

The city’s progress has been guided by its charter, but with the growing population, Cosalan questions whether the current provisions still meet residents’ needs.

“The vision set in 1909 has been exceeded. Due to population growth, we are experiencing traffic congestion and other issues,” he explained.

In 2022, the city charter was amended and enacted into law, but Cosalan pointed out that certain provisions remain outdated. One issue he highlighted is the requirement for city ordinances and resolutions to be approved by the provincial government of Benguet—something he sees as a violation of Baguio’s status as a chartered city.

“After more than 100 years, the charter should have been properly revised. But there were oversights and mistakes in the 2022 revision, so we are now working on correcting them,” Cosalan stated.

He also proposed key improvements to the charter, including proper zoning and land use, environmental and cultural heritage protection, effective waste management and transportation systems, and sustainable development initiatives.

“The people should be the ones to decide. A plebiscite should be held so they can vote ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ That step was skipped in the last revision,” he emphasized.

Baguio’s city charter serves as a special law governing the city and determines how public lands are allocated, covering townsite sales, residential free patents, government agency lands, and forest reserves. With calls for further revision, residents may soon have the opportunity to shape the future of the city’s development.