The article “Volcanic ‘LOL’ greets Batangas signage plan” and its accompanying photos were, to say the least, uncalled for. (Inquirer, 10/21/11) While the article, written by Jerome Baliton and Bayani San Diego Jr., and the photos may have been intended to make fun of the proposal of Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, we think it maligned, most of all, Baguio City and its people.
For one, I found it most disturbing that the Irisan dump in the city was featured along with other tourist attractions in the country. As a “Baguio Boy,” I am hurt that, despite our efforts to draw tourists to our city, tourism being its lifeblood, somebody with obvious malice in his heart would try to drive them away instead.
Yes, a great number of Baguio residents rely on tourism for their livelihood. What was “pictured” by the Oct. 21 issue of the Inquirer was not Baguio City. It was a far cry from what my city really is.
Somebody might think that the recent “trash-slide” that affected the people of Baguio and parts of Tuba, Benguet was a “funny” incident, but it was something no one wanted to happen. We are still trying to cope with the loss of life and property. We are doing our best to turn the tragedy into something constructive.
Please note, too, that the dump is no longer in use and has in fact been closed for years. It is a modern and efficient waste disposal system now in use in my city.
Yes, the way the article was written, together with its accompanying photos, did Baguio City and its people a great disservice.
—ELMER O. DATUIN, councilor, Baguio City