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GEOGRAPHY
The city has a total land area of 48.9 square kilometers as defined by its Charter. A subsequent legislation R.A.3092, Series of 1969 of the revised Administrative Code amended by the area by enlarging to 57.49 square kilometers.
The City landlocked within the province of Benguet, bounded on the North by the capital town of La Trinidad; on the East by Itogon; and the South and West by Tuba.
With City Hall as a reference point, it extends 8.2 kilometers from East to West and 7.2 kilometers from North to South. It has a perimeter of 30.98 kilometers divided into 20 administrative districts composed of 128-barangays.
BAGUIO’S SETTLERS
The City’s population as of May 2000 is 252,386. This indicates an actual 10.19 percent (23,117 persons) increase over its 1995 population of 226,883, indicating a growth rate of 1.95 percent per annum. The population for the year 2005 is 275,472 and is expected to reach 286,217 by 2007.
It boasts of a very high literacy rate of 98 percent. The variety of indigenous ethno-linguistic groups continues to enrich the socio-cultural scene. The Ibalios considered as the original settlers, together with other Cordilleran groups (Bontocs, Kalingas, Ifugaosand Kankanais) comprise about 10percent of the total population.
The number of ethnic groups from as far as Mindanao is also increasing. The unique mixture of cultures has enriched the total cultural landscape of the city. While each group works to retain their heritage, the union of unique traits has evolved into an incomparable mixture that continues to transform Baguio’s way of life. TOURISM in BAGUIO
Tourism continues to flourish. Tourist arrivals in 2003 hit the 1.218 million marks. This figure reflects an 11.35 percent increase compared to 2002.
Baguio has a unique environment that is relatively cooler by an average of 10-degress Celsius compared to low-laying areas in the Country. It is likewise unique because of the abundance of the Benguet Pine (pinus insularis). As such, it has become a favorite destination for nature revelers and those that find the lowland heat hard to take.
Baguio boast of 11 forests and watershed reservations covering an area of 521.2332hectares that helps the City maintain its climate.
URBAN AMENITIES
Being an urban center and only City in the Cordillera, Baguio is likewise given the moniker, “Gateway to the Cordilleras.” State of the art communication facilities flourish linking the city locally and internationally. PLDT operates the major long distance facility while the PILTEL operates the citywide telephone system.
DIGITEL and SMART Communication have acquired franchises. For telecommunication services, PT&T, RCPI, Telecom, Bayantel and Globe Mackay are easily accessible.
The Philippine Postal Services Office likewise boom, providing services with its main office located at the top of Session Road and 8-postal Sub-stations located in various schools and other strategic areas in the city.
This is complemented by services provide by JRS, FEDEX, LBC, and a host of other less known courier service providers. The number of Telex, Fax, Radiotelephone, and internet services continue to grow in addition to the array of communications facilities in the city.
Public transport is relatively convenient with at least 7 major bus companies operating in the city. These provide transport services mostly to Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Interior Cordilleras, Cagayan Valley, to as Zambales and Quezon Province.
Licensed public utility vehicles that operate specific intra and inter city routes complement existing bus lines. Within the city, the usual route is from a specific neigborhood or Barangay to the Central Business District and vice-versa. Out of town destination reach as far La Trinidad and other adjoining mining towns of Itogon and other areas in Benguet.
Mini-businesses have regular schedules mostly to Pangasinan, La Union and recently extending to as far as Ilocos and Abra. Taxicabs and rent-a-car companies are also available. These provide convenience in transportation within and outside of the City. They offer various car types and models in competitive rates.
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HISTORY
IT SEEMS inconceivable now that the City of Baguio, once a vast grassland, a pasture to hundreds of herds of cattle that far outnumbered the people, is now a bastion of new age monuments that continue to alter the city’s skyline.
Early documented explorations by the Spanish Conquistadors, aiming to extend the King’s Throne to far reaching regions in the Philippine Islands, led to the mestizo’s mission to the Cordilleran boondocks.
Explorers included Juan de Salcedo in 1572 and Don Q.M. Quirante in 1664. It was however the undaunted Commandante Guillermo D. Galvey who succeeded in establishing a Commandancia in a valley of Benguet and in 1864, he named the locale “La Trinidad- after his wife, Trinidad de Galvey.
Galvey established 31 rancherias, among which is the minor rancheria (about 20 houses) called Kafagway. Kafagway later became “Baguio”, after the native “Bag-iw”, meaning, moss.
The Americans succeeded the Spaniards and in 1900, established the first provincial government in Benguet with Hubert Phelps Whitmarsh, a Canadian journalist, as appointed Governor.
By resolution of the Philippine Commission, Baguio was declared ‘Summer Capital” on June 1, 1903. Consequently, the resolution bolstered the need for constructing basic infrastructures, including further improvements on the Benguet Road, which was started earlier in August 20, 1901. The road, later named after the engineer who realized the project, Col. Lyman W. Kennon, was finished in 1905 after nearly $2.06-M was spent for its completion.
Keeping up with rapid developments in Baguio during the early 1900’s William Cameron Forbes who was appointed to the Philippine Commission in 1904, personally arranged for Daniel H. Burnham a renowned architect, to prepare an urban design for Baguio. The plan was presented to then Secretary of War William Howard Taft the following year – it was a comprehensive design revolving around a park system and radial road network that “in the future may reach but not exceed a population of 25, 000.”
With the “Burnham Plan” in place and needed infrastructures constructed, the Philippine Commission adopted Act no. 1963 on September 1, 1909. Penned by Justice George Malcom, the Act transformed the once rural mountain territory into a chartered city.
By 1913 Baguio was already enjoying the amenities of a typical 20th century American city. Camp John Hay was serving as the res and recreation area for the US army; several public infrastructures were built including government cottages, accommodations for tourist, a modern hospital, a school and other edge works of a typical American city. During Manila’s hot summer months, the colonial officialdom moved its office to Baguio.
PANAGBENGA, Baguio's Famous FLOWER FESTIVAL, READ HERE... |
