We need Autonomy now

November 10, 2018 Opinion Sideglance

The decision of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to pursue its plans for the Baguio Convention Center despite appeals to consider rehabilitation plans made by a nine member technical working group (TWG) formed by the local government is the very reason why there is an urgent need to have autonomy now for the Cordillera region.

Is it not still obvious that the planned rehabilitation of the Baguio Convention Center, which is supposed to be one of the premier venues for seminars, trainings, conventions, galas, pageants, etc. in the city of Baguio, was immediately implemented by the DPWH Regional Office, may be because of deadlines to be met, without first discussing thoroughly the planned rehabilitation proposal and design crafted by the TWG created by the local government.

If only the DPWH first conducted an honest to goodness consultation even just with the TWG and already informed the former that their proposed renovations of the center may not be viable then no further issue would have occurred in the implementation of the rehabilitation.

There were in fact only about three major considerations that were proposed by the TWG in the renovation and rehabilitation of the Baguio Convention Center, and these are the installation of elevators, escalators and an additional floor. If indeed the plans made by the TWG are inherently flawed and cannot be included in the rehabilitation plan then that matter should have been resolved even before the work to repair and renovate the convention center was begun.

The issue of incorporating the plans and design made by the TWG could have easily been resolved if the proper consultation and determination was actually done by the DPWH before work was started. As it happened it took the members of the TWG to conduct an inspection to discover that their plans were not being followed by the DPWH.

If we are already an autonomous region then the DPWH could not have as easily began the rehabilitation of the Baguio Convention Center without first conducting a comprehensive consultation with the local government and giving due consideration to whatever plans and designs made at the local level before any restoration work is begun.

As a member of an autonomous region the City of Baguio can be assured of support from the regional government and can expect the weight of the power and authority of the said office to bear upon the issue in the early resolution of the matter. While the rehabilitation of the Baguio Convention Center is indeed a local matter and within the jurisdiction of the city government of Baguio it will not hurt to have neighboring provinces lending their support and assistance to the cause.

This is what genuine regional autonomy can and will provide.