One might say tremors of a volcanic eruption are being felt in Tagaytay City as former President Fidel V. Ramos questions national and local officials’ action – or inaction? – On the enhancement of the city’s endowments. Communication sent by the office of President Ramos indicates that major planning programs pertaining to the city during his time have not been observed by the city planners.
Being called in question is the 2006 Tagaytay City government’s official website which Mr. Ramos’ office describes as "untruthful." The website places more importance on the People’s Park in the Sky (PPIS) than on the Tagaytay City-Taal Volcano Island (TCTVI) eco-system. The website says: "An artful blending of natural and man-made attractions, poised on the highest point of Tagaytay City. It stands on a 4.516 sq. meters solid ground and overlooks four bodies of water – Taal Lake, Balayan Bay, Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay. It is located at Dapdap West and Dapdap East, approximately 6 kms. away from Silang Crossing (Rotunda)."
According to the President, the long-term development of the entire Tagaytay City-Taal Volcano Island (TCTVI) eco-system is governed by a 20-year strategic plan promulgated by Presidential Memorandum Order 323 dated Nov. 28, 1995. A set of 10-year development plans was likewise approved by the same memorandum order for the upland towns of Cavite surrounding Tagaytay and the coastal municipalities around Taal Lake in Batangas.
"The fundamental consideration in the strategic planning or of the entire TCTVI area was, and continues to be the preservation and enhancement of its unique environment and eco-system." At the very top of the breathtaking areas is the People’s Park, from where viewers can see four large bodies of water, Mt. Makiling and Mt. Banahaw. But the park is not TCVTI, but the place where one can view it.
In the run-up years (mid 1995 to mid-1998) to the Centennial of Philippine Independence, the President wrote to a newspaper, the PPIS was substantially enhanced as part of the "Freedom Trail" in Cavite Province, as identified by the National Centennial Commission chaired by former Vice President Salvador Laurel. During those years, various improvements were added to the PPIS to maximize people’s appreciation of the historical and recreational center, notably a centennial heroes hall, library/reading center, viewing decks, outdoor bandstand, a religious statue and worship place, a presidential room, picnic huts, children’s playground, souvenir shops and other amenities like clean toilets, running water and safe passageways. The main structure was cleaned up and integrated as part of wholesome, friendly and presentable complex for people’s enjoyment.
To preserve and enhance the long-term sustainability or viability of the entire TCTVI area as a socio-cultural economic asset, President Ramos created the Presidential Commission on Tagaytay-Taal (PCTT) April 24, 1993 through Executive Order 84. The EO empowered the PCTT to formulate short-and long-term plans for the development of the city and its adjacent municipalities.
Other presidential directives ordered the finalizing of proposals pertaining to national resource conservation, logical land-use, zoning and building regulations in relation to the Integrated Master Plan for the IMPTT area; adopting the master plan, and, among others, the dismantling of fish cages, fish traps and other aquaculture structures in Taal Lake and the Pansipit River.
The 20-year (for TCTVI) and 10-year (for municipalities) strategic plans were designed, wrote the former President, to preserve the natural beauty of the environment, develop the area as an eco-tourism zone, and put in place support infrastructure and programs that would generate local economic and livelihood development for the people.
Unfortunately – "and inexplicably," wrote Mr. Ramos, former President Joseph Estrada abolished the PCTT without any provisions for the orderly transfer of its national functions, property/assets and civil service-eligible personnel - by way of EO 327 dated Dec. 9, 2000. The decision diminished the oversight functions of the national government over the ecosystem.
Fortunately, President Macapagal-Arroyo deferred the Estrada order. Then DENR Secretary Heherson Alvarez placed the PCTT under the Taal Volcano Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the DENR. From there, primary responsibility for the implementation of the 10- and 20-year master plans was devolved to the municipalities concerned and Tagaytay City, respectively.
Upon request of several concerned citizens of the city, then Mayor Francis Tolentino and two other key city officials signed a "Letter of Undertaking" Jan. 3, 2000 committing to sustain the local environment. But, while the Tagaytay LGU has adopted some features of the approved PCTT master plans, Mr. Ramos wrote, "the actual implementation since 2000 has been characterized by ‘tokenism’ amounting to neglect and unsustainable local development." He cited deplorable waste disposal practices; unabated squatter colonies, heavy vehicle traffic in constructed areas during weekends and holidays, and increased commercialization.
More than 10 years after the strategic development plans were launched, it is now time, wrote Mr. Ramos, to revisit and assess what has happened. Much has to be done to repair the deteriorated condition of the city, as well as its centerpiece attraction, the People’s Park in the Sky.
Mr. Ramos calls for collective action – a "preemptive" strike "to preserve, enhance and protect the city." The responsibility for such a "pre-emptive" strike lies primarily with elected officials from national down to the barangay level, he said.
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IS LIONGOREN GALLERY turning herbalist? It looks like it is, what with a group exhibition it has put up, beginning this past Sunday, until August 5, featuring Filipino local plants and herbs that promote health and beauty. The show is aptly called Herba Buena.
Participating artists are Joel Ajero, Willie Alicdan, Ral Arrogante, Normal Belleza, Jeho Bitancor, Remy Boquiren, Alan Cabalfi, Dindon Cordoa, Tala Contreras, Daniel Coquilla, Neil Doloricon, Norman Dreo, and Edgar Talusan-Fernandez.
Gilda Cordero-Fernando’s work is also on exhibit, as are those of Fred Galan, Emmanuel Garibay, Gapas, Alfredo Liongoren, July Lluch, Glo Tenza-Lava, Jo Madarang, Ferdie Montemayor, Nik Ricio, Emma’t Orozco, Alma Quinto, Mario de Rivera, Jose Tence Ruiz, Jerson Samson, Paco Santos, VL Santos, Liz Tayag, Arlene Villaver and Ernie Ybanez.
The works include naturalistic depictions of local fauna, such as Gapas’ work in acrylic on canvas entitled "Coconut Tree," or Ernie Ybanez’s watercolor depictions of the sour fruit Kamias, or Norman Dreo’s photorealistic presentation of Bignay (Antidesa or Chinese laurel).
To add to its herbalist image, Liongoren Gallery has also opened a new section featuring locally-sourced and manufactured herbal products, including special teas, soaps, and ailment remedies. Norma Liongoren, gallery owner, says the exhibit and herbal section is the gallery’s "share in redeeming traditional and natural medicine and to help counter the proliferation of imported organic products being sold in the market."
Visit the art gallery-cum health center at 111 New York cor. Stanford Sts., Cubao, Quezon City. Call Tina at 912-4319, or 0916-3919766.
See original post at: https://qa.philstar.com/opinion/2006/07/18/347991/tagaytay-going-going-gone