Barangay officials asked to help maintain Baguio’s ‘clean and orderly’ image

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that before the city government approves a building and business permit, the owner will be required to present a certification from their barangay officials that their establishments or structures have been inspected by the latter and found to be ‘orderly and clean’.

The Mayor made the announcement during a meeting with the city’s punong barangays on April 14 at the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) building together with local department heads.

“We have to share this responsibility at hindi namin kaya na ma-inspect lahat. We have to rely on you since this is part of our shared responsibility,” he stressed.

The Mayor revealed that in his regular barangay monitoring activity, he has observed that some stores are unsightly, have dirty surroundings and that their structures are already dilapidated with their owners seeming not to care.

“We are a Character and Creative City. We are known as the country’s Summer Capital. Our economic driver is basically tourism. Kung hindi natin ayusin ang mga paligid natin, our surroundings, why then should Baguio still be called a Summer Capital and a tourist destination? Kailangan natin ipakita na maayos tayo dito,” he said.

The Mayor pointed out that while there has already been a “huge improvement” on the matter, “marami pa rin ang kailangan talagang ayusin.” – Gaby B. Keith