The Baguio City Council has approved the appropriation of P23.1 million for various disaster risk reduction and management projects including slope protection, drainage and riprap rehabilitation, riverway improvements, and disaster preparedness initiatives across the city.
The approved appropriation covers 11 projects intended to address disaster-related risks and strengthen the city’s preparedness and resilience, particularly in areas vulnerable to erosion, flooding, and landslides:
Construction of slope protection below Rizal Elementary School at Liteng (P2.724 million);
Construction and installation of steel gratings/strainers along Bued, Gallano, and Ambalanga River Ways (P4 million);
Investing in Resilience: Financing Preparedness for Sustainable Communities (P1.5 million);
Procurement of mobile collapsible tents (P6 million);
Rehabilitation of damaged slope protection at Quezon Hill Health Center (P2.3 million);
Rehabilitation of eroded riprap at Purok 3 (P475,000);
Rehabilitation of drainage along Camdas Road near Pilando Compound (P1.5 million);
Rehabilitation of the eroded portion of the Child Development Center of Lower Quirino Hill (P1.17 million);
Restoration of eroded riprap along the pathway near Cagado’s residence at Middle Rock Quarry (P463,000);
Rehabilitation of riprap near Dongpoen residence at Purok 12, Lower Irisan (P1 million); and
Slope protection of the multi-purpose lot/city need/basketball court located at Lot 149, Block 7 Extension, East Quirino Hill (P2 million).
The original proposed appropriation amounted to P49.19 million, but four projects totaling P26.058 million were removed from the current appropriation by the executive department to prioritize the more immediate disaster risk reduction and management needs.
The projects removed were the rehabilitation of the drainage canal and slope protection near the Youth Convergence Center and Sports Complex (P10.558 million); provision of temporary modular classrooms for Baguio Central School (P9 million); procurement of a transit concrete mixer for the enhanced rehabilitation of canals, roads, and associated infrastructure (P5.5 million); and supply and delivery of fitness equipment for DRRM Council members (P1 million). These projects are not being abandoned and are intended to be funded in future appropriations. **Jordan G. Habbiling
