RESEARCH

TOPIC
C A RY L L B U E N A L U Z - F U C H I G A M I

16 SEPTEMBER 2022
Community
Threshold Analysis in
the Impact of Urban
Sprawl in Baguio City
• TOPIC 1
Urban sprawl has significant environmental,
economic and social consequences. It leads to higher
emissions from the transportation sector and lack of
open space and environmental amenities. It also
increases the cost of providing key public services,
exerting pressure on local public finance. Finally, it
reduces housing affordability as its main drivers limit
the supply of housing in key areas. Despite the plan
being comprehensive, it was not able to address fully
the two potential threats of urban decay, namely
uncontrolled population growth and urban
expansion
Dichotomy of Social
Development in the
Case of Happy Hollow,
Baguio City
TOPIC 2
Social planning is a process that involves
local governments and community
members working together to address
social issues and build healthy
communities. Integrated with other types
of planning, social planning focuses on the
people themselves in a community
planning context. The research addresses
Focus of the
the relationship between climate change Study
responses and spatial planning since there
is a growing awareness that spatial
planning can function as a switchboard
for mitigation, adaptation and
sustainable development objectives.
HAPPY HOLLOW
 It began on the event when on November 3, 1903 when President
Theodore Roosevelt signed General Order No. 48 setting aside 216
hectares for military use, which was to become part of Baguio City
in 1907. It was in the same year of 1907 through the same
Proclamation 149 that the area was further increased from 216 to
573 hectares, which was then called Camp John Hay Reservation.
It is further detailed that the meters and bounds of the Camp John
Hay Reservation described in Map #115958 had a total of 659.52
hectares and it is worthy to note that accordingly the existence of

Key Takeaways the Community of Happy Hallow of the indigenous peoples,

though within the perimeter of the Military Reservation was never
disturbed. Further, it was in 1971, through an Embassy Note No. 63
states that over 130 hectares of John Hay Reservation was turned
over to the Philippine Government. It will be revealed later that a
portion of Des-ok now Happy Hallow as known by the Americans
during those times and dubbed parcel 1 will be among the areas to
be turned over the Philippine Government. Likewise, a portion of
Des-ok or no happy hallow not covered by the Military Reservation
was excluded also from the Townsite Reservation but included in
another Proclamation No. 414 (Mining Act) in its Mining
Reservation.
The people from Des-ok peaceably accommodated their white
neighbors (Americans) and on the other hand, the American
officers took it upon themselves to integrate with the inhabitants,
joining them in the community’s celebration and feasts.
Stories are recounted over how Ibaloi women would carry fruits
and vegetables in kayabangs (head baskets) to sell to the many
Camp John Hay employees who are non residents of the place. It is
noted that until the Philippine Government’s take over the U.S.
bases, some native of Des-ok were permanently employed by the
John Hay authority. Even then, men were hired for unskilled labor
in the earlier times, while the women of Des-ok derived cash from
supplying the John Hay Mess Hall with their farm produce.
As years went by, the community suffered discomfort as their
culture and traditions were being disregarded and their natural
resources were being exploited before their eyes. There were cases
of crimes such as rape and head taking and then visitors in the
community were being suspected for being “bosols” or headtakers.

Key Takeaways
In 1941, the Japanese forced boomed and invaded Camp John Hay.
Their presence sowed fear and tension among the inhabitants of
Des-ok due to the brutality of the Japanese. As a result, the people
left their homes to hide in cares of “diang” and subsisting on the
bananas to keep themselves alive for the hunger abound on
others.
After the World War II was over, Camp John Hay was reconstructed
once again for occupation by the Americans. Along the way, it is
recounted by the elders that there was an American official they
remembered surnamed Smith who was a friendly person attending
and mingling with the people of Des-ok during the feasts. Mr.
Smith also notices how happy the people are every time they
celebrate their cañaos or festivities much more the description of
Des-ok which is “Cavemous” gives him the idea to name Des-ok
“Happy Hallow”. In time, the English term “Happy Hallow” has been
stuck to outsiders and thus now carries it as the official name of
the community since then. All in all, this is a tribute in a way to
remind him of the happy people in the place, laborers who go into
drinking session after hard labor but remain happy, the happy
banana women vendors with kayabangs trekking up the foot trails
Key Takeaways
and the peaceful serenity of the place.
Thank You
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