Baguio City / History, Economy
Few attempts have been undertaken to give an account of the earliest presence of human settlements within what is known today as the region of Baguio City. They all remain highly speculative due to a lack of reliable authentic evidence. However, there is wide agreement that the area was inhabited before several waves of Malayan tribes arrived. Intermarriage and socio-cultural adaptation finally led to the formation of a new tribe calling itself "Ibaloi".
Their society consisted of a network of independent village-communities, so-called barangays which interacted through a barter system among themselves and with neighboring lowland-settlements. The highlanders exchanged their products, chiefly gold and even slaves for iron, salt, livestock, cotton cloth and other materials from the plains and the coastal regions.
In 1571, Spanish troops occupied Manila. Soon, news about huge gold deposits allegedly located in the mountainous areas of northern Luzon went the rounds within the ranks of the invaders. A contingent of Conquistadores moved to the northern coastal areas, where they undertook the first military expedition to the interior. Their target however, the legendary "gold mines", remained largely elusive. Chronicles report a series of subsequent inroads into Igorot territory in 1576, 1589, 1591, and 1594. These reports contain descriptions of murdering and plundering bands of soldiers, leaving behind a path of death and destruction, before being forced to withdraw under the pressure of the local warriors' fierce resistance. Finally, Spanish strongholds which were put up around 1600 had to be abandoned after a few years.
The Roman Catholic Church took over the subsequent initiative to mobilize forces for a new onslaught against the mountain tribes. The Church which turned out to be the most brutal and efficient tool of colonization in the history of the Philippines , acquired in an artful way the profit from the greed for gold. A "christianization drive" organized by the Church united religious fanatics and adventurous treasure hunters.
In November, 1619 representatives of the Dominicans, Augustinians and Franciscans met to declare war against the Igorots. They were, however, unable to substantially encroach upon the region. For at least 200 years, the Spaniards "governed" the interior of Northern Luzon from Agoo without exerting a tight administrative control.
It was only in 1846 after 45 preliminary expeditions that a "commandancia" was established in La Trinidad, under the leadership of Guillermo de Galvey. Soon, a network of "Rancheras" was set up to cover the vast territory which was called "Province of Benguet". The first "Capitan" of Benguet was Pulito de Cafagway who resided in Baguio, on a "rancheria" of merely 20 houses. The presidencia of Baguio was established at the lower end of Guisad Valley, on a location called Bagyiu (moss). Historians assume that this name refers to the abundance of moss covering the swampy creeks and trees of this place. Later on, the presidencia was moved to its present site at the City Hall.
The Spaniards built churches, catechismal schools, made trails and introduced coffee.
Later, it was the Spanish accounts which motivated the US to move into the region. Early US prospectors surveyed the area and confirmed the presence of gold, silver and copper deposits. The first US-administration was set up under Capt. Rudd in 1900. Mr. Whitmarsh was appointed Civil Governor of Benguet on November 22 and 23, 1900 and Baguio was chosen as the capital. He presided over the first colonial civil US-government in the Philippines, while the rest of The Country remained under military rule for almost one year. Moreover, Americans soon discovered the tremendous potential the region offered for developing trade and manufacturing.
They early made plans to build an infrastructure to open the province for a more extensive use of its resources. These projects were based on all-weather road connections leading from the mines to the lowlands. Besides the transportation of goods, these facilities would enable armed forces to rapidly deploy troops in order to "pacify" the vast hinterlands of Kalinga/Apayao, as early US governors explained in their reports.
The main highway to the lowlands was carved after four years of hardship from Pangasinan following the Buad River into the steep slopes of the mountains. It was named after Col. Leighton Kennon, its first engineer for the final stage of construction. Its opening on January 29, 1905 marked a period of rapid urban development. {Forbes later commented that had they instead improved the Naguilian trail, which was in use since Spanish times, it could have been built at half the three million dollars the US spent. As an editorial in Tempo, August 13, 1990, comments Kennon road was ill conceived in that its position parallel to the river always puts it at risk of landslides. "...it will always be a calamity road." The article further cites a suggestion of Fr. V.L. Badillo, of the Manila Observatory that Kennon road be abandoned and that another road constructed on the hilltops, as Naguilian, be built to replace it.}
Another important asset of the region was soon discovered: The suitability of the climate for growing European style vegetables and for setting up a health resort. Camp John Hay was established in 1903 and subsequently improved as a convalescent station. Agricultural produce like cauliflower, cabbage and first grade potatoes which were previously imported (if available at all) were soon under cultivation in the plains of neighboring La Trinidad.
The development of the place experienced another brisk upturn with the realization of modern urban planning in accordance with the blueprints of a famous landscape architect, Daniel H. Burnham. The first auction of city lands took place on 28 May, 1906. All were reportedly bought with enthusiasm. A construction boom followed, spearheaded by government projects such as the Governor-General's Mansion and a large civilian Hospital (both completed in 1908). A building for The Country Club (which had been organized in 1905) was erected during the same time period.
The development was further boosted by {William Cameron} Forbes' (who would later become Governor General of the Philippines) initiative to turn the town into the archipelago's summer capital. A group of government buildings were set up, together with a cluster of cottages which could be rented by government officials and employees. Private initiative followed suit, attracted by a favorable investment climate. Plush residential areas, parks, athletic fields, golf courses and tennis courts were laid out.
A milestone in Baguio's development was achieved when it was made a chartered city in September, 1909.
The hotel-industry dates from 1910. The first guest-house was opened in the old sanitarium which had been leased to a private entrepreneur.This was further enhanced by a regular automobile service which was established for the convenience of the public. It carried more than 2,000 passengers per season.
The following period of rapid expansion lasted until the outbreak of WW II. In December 1941, the Japanese invaders approached Baguio. The US garrison which was not prepared to make an adequate defense withdrew quickly without resisting the Imperial Army after having destroyed their heavy equipment and huge quantities of ammunition. They instructed the civil government to declare Baguio an "open city". Thus the municipality was saved from becoming a battle ground.
On December 27, 1941 the Japanese set up their headquarters in a Japanese school in La Trinidad and established their local military headquarters at Camp John Hay. After almost 4 years of occupation, General Yamashita, the "Tiger of Malaya", surrendered to the US. The liberation of Baguio, however, brought with it a lot of destruction, and the cathedral is said to have been the only major structure left standing. The government immediately set to the task of reconstruction.
Baguio has since grown into the most important economic center of Northern Luzon. Several factors are said to have jointly contributed to this boom:
- A flourishing mining industry, calling for massive investments in infrastructure and industrial equipment;
- The growing production of high priced crops, especially European style vegetables which can only be raised in a temperate climate zone;
- The massive influx of wealthy lowlanders and tourists which led to the build-up of plush residential areas, luxurious hotels and restaurants while giving a decisive impact to the manufacture of handicrafts (like wood carving and basket weaving).
Massive overpopulation and logging have, however, already begun to strain an important ecological balance: The groundwater level is continuously sinking, and critical observers claim that a serious shortage of drinking water may loom, if the government fails to take immediate countermeasures. In December 1989 the municipal water system had to shut down operation temporarily in several areas, while other parts of the city suffered frequent loss of water pressure. The traveler is therefore advised to inquire on check-in whether the place has a private deep well and a pressure tank.
Another serious problem results from the widespread local habit of squandering money in orgiastic excesses of conspicuous consumption. As a showcase of Filipino middle and upper class life style, Baguio offers the visitor an insight into the lavish dolce vita of those segments of society which used to spearhead the so-called "moral revolution" and nationalist renewal, pointing an accusing finger at the alleged "exploitative character" of foreign-influenced economic activities.
Analysts claim that real estate speculation and the propensity for luxury oriented spending patterns contributed to make Baguio one of the most expensive places in the entire archipelago.
More on Baguio City:
History, Economy
Statistical Data
Accommodation
Middle Class Hotel
Middle Class Hotel, continued
Simple Hotels and Pension Houses
Simple Hotels and Pension Houses, continued
Simple Hotels and Pension Houses, continued
Simple Hotels and Pension Houses, continued
Simple Hotels and Pension Houses, continued
Simple Hotels and Pension Houses, continued
Simple Hotels and Pension Houses, continued
Restaurants
Restaurants, continued
Restaurants, continued
Convention Facilities
Convention Facilities, continued
Entertainment
Casino
Sightseeing
Shopping
Sports, Health
Offices
Transportation
Bus Terminals & Destinations
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