Status of city’s 2020 projects, reported

BAGUIO CITY –  Of the 180 city government projects of 2020 amounting to P2.2 billion, 39 percent are implemented, 39 percent ongoing and 32 percent not yet implemented due mainly  to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic that struck the Summer Capital in March last year.

Thus, reported City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) coordinator Archt. Donna Rillera-Tabangin during the management committee meeting of local officials at City Hall, January 13, led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Implemented projects include online building permit system of the city buildings and architecture office (CBAO); park development, sewer line and forestry projects under city environment and parks management office (CEPMO); and promotion of urban gardening and organic farming by city veterinary and agriculture office.

The conversion of Irisan dumpsite into an eco-park by general services office (GSO); execution of the Baguio VISITA by the city administration office-tourism division (CADMO-tourism); and the public information office’s quad media information campaign were also implemented, among others.

Ongoing projects are socialized housing program spearheaded by the CPDO; SMART city system:  command center by the City Mayor’s Office (CMO); and the city engineering office’s (CEO) sidewalk improvement project.

Also ongoing, among others, are the Baguio swimming pool rehabilitation by CADMO-tourism; Baguio In My Pocket application by CMO; and Smart Flood Early Warning System by CPDO and city disaster risk reduction management office.

Projects not yet implemented but to be pursued are youth convergence and sports center by CADMO-sports division; Burnham Lake Drive drainage by CEPMO; and market development by city treasury office.

These also include Koha software library information system spearheaded by CMO-library division;  the CMO’s fibertization project; and Community-Based Monitoring System by CPDO, among others.

Tabangin said all local government programs, projects and activities are implemented in line with the city’s 16-point strategic goals that serve as an action plan for 2019-2022.

These are speeding-up government action; revitalizing the environment; innovating peace and order; aggressive traffic management; responsive education program; youth empowerment; expanding health and social services;  responsible tourism; and enlivened culture, arts, crafts and heritage.

Also included are market modernization; effective disaster management; empowered and accountable barangay governance; strengthened livelihood and entrepreneurship; unemployment reduction; resolution of Indigenous People’s and other land issues; and happiness.-Gaby B. Keith