The Visionary in Congress we need for Baguio’s Future

Our beloved home, The Summer Capital of the Philippines, with its cold and invigorating breeze, beautiful landscapes, rich cultural and heritage, has always been a favorite destination for tourists,  It is home for more that 400,00 people greatly enjoyed by its residents. However, with growth and modernization, Our city faces significant challenges such as urban congestion, infrastructure strains and  environmental degradation. 

With the city’s rapid growth and modernization, Baguio faces significant challenges such as urban congestion, waste and environmental degradation, landslides, and flooding. A notable personality now stepping up to address these issues is a veteran in public service and an active advocate for green and sustainability projects in the City, Her name is Gladys Vergara, an aspiring Congresswoman, who has been a major force behind sustainable tourism in Baguio City. 

Vergara recognizes the delicate balance between protecting the environment and promoting economic growth. Her work in this area has focused on reducing the impact of tourism on the city's green spaces while still encouraging growth in the sector. By promoting eco-friendly tourism practices and partnering with local businesses, Vergara ensures that Baguio remains a viable destination without compromising its natural resources. Her initiatives have gained attention both locally and regionally, making Baguio a case study in responsible tourism. Vergara’s efforts have contributed to a cleaner, more sustainable city while maintaining its appeal to visitors from across the country and abroad.

As Baguio continues to expand, urban challenges such as traffic congestion, over development, and insufficient infrastructure have become pressing concerns. Vergara has been vocal about the need for a comprehensive urban development strategy that addresses these issues in a way that benefits both residents and visitors. She has proposed modernizing the city's public transportation system through her Glad to be Green Projects to alleviate traffic while advocating for the protection and expansion of green spaces set apart for recreational and aesthetic purposes throughout Baguio. In addition, Vergara supports responsible infrastructure development that underscores sustainability. This includes prioritizing projects that would boost the city's resilience to environmental challenges, while ensuring that development does not compromise Baguio’s cultural and natural heritage. She has recently launched the GREENSOIL project, an eco-friendly product that would help Filipino households  to convert organic wastes into effective and readily available compost. 

While Vergara’s work has gained attention for its emphasis on sustainability and development, she also highlights the importance of inclusivity in governance. Her focus on improving public services such as health care, housing, and education reflects her broader goal of ascertaining that  Baguio residents have access to the resources they need to thrive which brings us back to her thirty - years of experience as a public servant. Vergara’s experience in tourism, urban planning, and civic leadership positions her as a candidate who understands the complexities of managing a growing city like Baguio. Her approach blends innovation crucial to the continuing development and maintaining  a deep respect for its unique cultural and environmental attributes that offer potential solutions which is an inherent part of the growing needs of Baguio.

As Baguio City continues to evolve, its leaders will face difficult choices on how to manage its growth while preserving what has made the city uniquely  special. Gladys Vergara’s track record of leadership in tourism and urban development, along with her vision for a more sustainable and inclusive future, offers a perspective where a good deal of Baguio’s community are now meticulously paying close attention to. Her proposals on transportation, green space preservation, and youth development reflect an approach that is mindful of the city’s challenges while remaining hopeful about its future. She is undoubtedly ready and fully equipped to serve Baguio as its representative in Congress, bringing both maturity and dedication to the role.