Common Cents, Common Scents, Common Sins, Common Sense

Baguio City is in an uproar. All because of SM Baguio's plans to extend its mall tentacles and create parking lots/shops within its 'property' in Luneta Hill directly affecting some 182 Alnus and Pine trees which are planned to be moved(earth-balled) or cut. But many local citizens are unfazed with SM's sugar-coated pronouncements and advertisements regarding the issue mindless of the negative consequences the development will have to the environment. I believe it will just create more pollution, congestion (traffic, human and lung congestion) and make a bad precedent for others to follow as well. Meanwhile, the Baguio City government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have yet to explain the approved permit for SM to cut/replace the trees and develop the area.

Common Cents:What peeves many is how Shoemart Inc. is disregarding basic ecological common sense. Tycoon Henry Sy might not be fully aware of what is going on around in his backyard but by now he should be more prudent enough and make a quick fix. Better for him to be in our shoes too and see how every tree can make a difference to our environment.

Common Scents: Now comes the dilemma of how media will cover the issue. SM heavily advertises on tri-media and a bang on SM would tick off nervous media moguls who are themselves at the whims of conglomerates and big business? The nose knows.

Common Sins: This imbroglio of politicians, big business, media and concerned citizens is another example of how justice will be expected in another administration that waltzes with logging and mining companies.

Common sense. I believe common sense and willpower will determine the outcome of this problem. And common sense belongs to the people.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-cutting-uprooting-of-trees-at-sm-baguio.html