I remember with great fondness the Baguio of my childhood — a city of cool, pine-scented breezes; verdant mountains; nature trails; and public parks. It was a city to explore on foot, with many narrow, winding roads and quaint neighborhoods. Filipinos used to visit Baguio to enjoy its clean air and recuperate from illnesses.
Over time, Baguio’s image was tarnished by worsening traffic and pollution. Motor vehicles, whether parked or not, consumed much of the road space. Sidewalks were narrowed or eliminated in order to widen roads or create more lanes for cars. Baguio became notorious for gridlock, especially during holidays, when thousands of cars would ascend from the lowlands. Soon enough, the stench of vehicle exhaust replaced Baguio’s pine-scented air.