Emotions ran high as descendants of Mateo Cariño, members of Onjon ni Ivadoy, and other concerned citizens took a stand on the proposed development of the Ibaloi Garden during the public consultation conducted by the Committee on Ethics, Governmental Affairs and Personnel of the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Baguio.
The Technical Working Group in charge of the redevelopment/rehabilitation of the Burnham Park was invited during the public consultation to present the proposed plans for the entire Burnham Park and the Ibaloi Garden.
Emphasizing the historical significance of the Igorot Garden and the rich cultural heritage of the Ibaloi people, the participants cautioned the City Council and the Technical Working Group to do away with modern designs and lean toward more cultural, historical, and educational ones.
Councilors Isabelo Cosalan and Mylen Yaranon disclosed that there is no concrete plan for the Ibaloi Garden yet. They explained that the main objective of the public consultation was to solicit authentic ideas from concerned individuals on how to formulate a development plan that will be acceptable to the Ibaloi community and will not compromise the symbolism of the place.
“The plan for the Ibaloi Garden presented to you by the Technical Working Group is not final. But what is good is that something came out of this proposal. They presented the tentative plan, and you reacted. You are here because we need your inputs,” Cosalan said.
Despite the lack of clear direction on the proposed development for the Ibaloi Garden, Joseph Claridades, member of the Technical Working Group, assured that the final design will educate people about the Ibaloi tribe. He emphasized, however, that the place should be for everyone and not exclusively for Ibaloi people.
“What we are suggesting is something educational so that whoever goes there will understand what an Ibaloi is,” Claridades explained.
Towards the end of the public consultation, a consensus was reached. The participants all agreed that the place should be more open, should have more greenery, should have less concrete structures, and should be more traditional and educational. Also, the prospect of erecting a monument for Mateo Cariño was mentioned and was unanimously agreed on.
In the afternoon, an ocular inspection at the Ibaloi Garden took place after the conduct of a ceremonial rite which was witnessed by councilors Cosalan and Yaranon, and some participants during the morning public consultation. ** Jordan G. Habbiling
