As someone who studies in Baguio City and neither considers himself a local nor a tourist, I have keenly observed its transformation, evident in the changes it has undergone throughout time, gradually departing from its nostalgic beauty and past.
Gone are the days of unhampered adventures along tree-lined avenues, where the air carried the scent of pine and a sense of tranquility enveloped the soul. Today, Baguio finds itself grappling with plastic wastes and traffic congestion, as smoke from vehicles and burning wastes mingle with the once-pristine skies.
The appeal that attracted tourists now poses a dilemma, as their increasing numbers, vital for the local economy, have become one of the reasons behind alarming environmental concerns, leading to complaints from Baguio locals.
Influx of tourists
Starting last December 2022 when Baguio recorded its high tourist arrival, tourism influx has strained the city's infrastructure and natural resources.
The increasing number of vehicles, both private and public, escalated pollution levels, causing air quality to deteriorate rapidly. In support of this, IQAir’s air quality analysis and statistics for Baguio said that vehicular exhausts are the main problem behind pollution in Baguio. Locals who have grown up breathing the fresh mountain air are now confronted with air and noise pollution, which affects their quality of life and jeopardizes their health.
In an article released on April 10, Jethro Andrada from the Inquirer said that due to “intense crowding,” waste management has also become a significant challenge in Baguio. Because of this influx, waste disposal systems are struggling to cope with the increased demand, leading to overflowing garbage bins, littered streets, and a general disregard for the cleanliness of public spaces.
Gabriel Jed Hernandez, a Baguio resident and known by his colleagues as a “tagababa hater” because of his viral tweet on tourists’ inconvenience for locals, said that Baguio City has a lot of residents, and it is getting denser with more tourists visiting.
“Kahit sabihin natin na Baguio City is built for tourism, landscape and urban planning wise, it really isn’t since we have tight roads, we have narrow pathways,” Hernandez said in an interview on May 23.
Moreover, Hernandez said that because of urbanization, Baguio is now just a “small city” to accommodate heavy tourist density compared to its state during the early 2000s.
“With all the tourists coming up, hindi natin maiiwasan ‘yung pollution and this doesn’t just limit itself to smoke, the air, but it really has to do a lot with, example, urbanizing the cities, parang ‘yung ginawa sa likod ng SM,” he said. “Iyong mga spaces na pwede namang for residents or public spaces, naco-convert siya into parking lots, establishments, and commercial buildings to cater doon sa needs ng tourists.”
Recognizing the issues stemming from tourist influx is crucial, but it is equally important to acknowledge the positive impact that responsible and sustainable tourism can have on a community. Striking a balance between tourism and eco-consciousness is imperative for achieving this objective.
Become a better tourist
“No matter naman na taga-Baguio ka o hindi, wherever you go, I think sustainable tourism should be observed,” Hernandez emphasized. “Before going to a place na gusto mong puntahan, you can do a bit of research on it, available naman ang internet… be more mindful sa road signs.”
Educating tourists about responsible tourism practices and encouraging them to minimize their negative environmental impacts, can make a significant difference. By promoting sustainable initiatives and emphasizing the importance of preserving the city, little by little, we can restore Baguio's natural beauty while fostering a future that balances economy with ecology and cultural sensitivity.
“Responsible tourism… also applies to the culture here sa Baguio, alam naman natin, ang dami nating statues, mga relics, mga cultural artifacts, may it be tangible or intangible,” he said. “Be a little bit more sensitive towards that mindfulness kasi baka may makarinig sa’yo… baka may ma-offend… an example of this is si Candy Pangilinan back in the early 2000s.”
Ensuring the overall betterment of Baguio City relies not only on the diligent efforts of self-improving tourists but also on the collective responsibility and proactive initiatives of local communities and authorities.
“Maganda sana na our government agencies also do something on their part in advocating for responsible tourism… hindi ‘yung pasok lang nang pasok, income lang nang income,” said Hernandez.
Measures to consider
To preserve the city's beauty and manage its popularity, key measures include implementing stricter traffic regulations, promoting eco-friendly transportation alternatives, and improving waste management systems.
By imposing regulations such as carpooling implementation and traffic flow management, the city can effectively reduce traffic congestion. This reduction not only improves the overall experience for tourists, but also decreases travel times, lowers fuel consumption, and reduces air pollution.
Encouraging the use of public transportation systems can diminish people’s heavy reliance on private cars and decrease carbon emissions associated with tourism activities. Developing cycling infrastructure and implementing bike-friendly programs, not only contributes to the amelioration of our communities but also in fostering a healthy and active lifestyle for individuals.
Moreover, implementing efficient waste management systems can effectively control the waste from both residents and tourists. This measure ensures that the environment remains clean and helps maintain the “aesthetic appeal” of Baguio's natural attractions.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a tourist attraction, but at the same time it is still a home to the people living there,” said Hernandez.
It is important to note that Baguio locals’ complaints are not fueled by any desire to shut out tourists but by a concern for the sustainability of their city. Hence, it is just crucial for authorities, locals, and tourists to come together and arrive at plausible solutions. Only through these shared efforts can we really ensure that Baguio remains a haven for generations to come, where residents and visitors can coexist harmoniously.
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