The Baguio City Council is set to craft corrective measures after a review of city-funded infrastructure projects exposed delays, contractor issues, and low utilization of the 20% Local Development Fund.
During the regular session on April 27, 2026, the City Council scrutinized project timelines, funding utilization, and implementation practices, raising concerns over recurring delays, incomplete works, and coordination gaps among agencies.
The councilors questioned specific projects including site development works along Kennon Road and the installation of sidewalk canopies near Session Road. They noted the lack of detailed plans submitted to the City Council and emphasized the need for clearer project descriptions and advance submission of programs of work to ensure transparency and proper evaluation before funding approval.
Issues on project execution were also discussed, particularly the access road to Luna Terraces Housing Community. The City Engineering Office (CEO) confirmed that while construction had resumed, the project remained delayed due to contractor financial difficulties and earlier complications involving private property and design changes.
Longstanding inefficiencies in project implementation were also raised. Audit findings revealed that the city has historically fallen below target utilization rates for its development funds.
Data presented during the session showed some improvement, with utilization of development-related funds rising to over 20% in the first quarter of the year, up from single-digit levels in previous years. However, this still falls short of the 70% benchmark under national performance standards. This low utilization rate was attributed to project backlogs, procurement bottlenecks, and the volume of projects lined up for implementation.
To address these issues, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that a prioritization matrix had been adopted to streamline project implementation and reduce backlogs. This matrix would limit execution to high-priority projects within the year.
The city has also begun empowering barangays to implement certain projects directly, supported by technical assistance from partner organizations and city offices.
Councilors likewise examined procurement-related concerns including slow bidding processes and allegations that cost estimates for projects may be too low to attract contractors. The CEO, however, maintained that estimates are based on approved price lists and regularly updated through market canvassing, with recent adjustments showing only minimal increases in material costs.
Concerns from contractors were also relayed regarding delayed payments which were cited as contributing to project slowdowns. The CEO responded that processing on their end is completed within days once documents are complete but acknowledged that delays may occur during accounting review due to incomplete submissions.
Several projects were identified as either delayed or at risk including a rainwater harvesting facility in the Buyog Watershed that is now subject to contract termination after incurring significant slippage. Other projects faced setbacks due to permitting issues, site constraints, and logistical challenges such as limited access for heavy equipment.
The councilors expressed hope that with improved coordination, stricter monitoring, and more realistic planning, the city can accelerate project completion and ensure that development funds translate into tangible benefits for residents. **Jordan G. Habbiling
