14 July 2020 – Things may have gotten harder but our eyes remain focused when it comes to Baguio’s goals!
Thus, in a nutshell, was the message of Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, assuring Baguio residents the city will rise like the Philippine banner anew during last week’s flag ceremony at the Burnham Park.
The flag-raising ceremony was the city’s first since Malacañang declared a state of national medical emergency paving the way for the declaration of an Enhanced Community Quarantine, March 17.
He said, he is willing to roll-up his sleeves with the City Council led by Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan; and, Congressman Marques O. Go, to pursue endeavors hampered by the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
He likewise bared new priorities as residents adapt their lives to COVID-19, while the world eagerly awaits for a vaccine to end the pandemic.
The mayor said, molecular laboratories; health care equipment and supplies; and, the backstopping of human resources in the medical field are high on the list of the city’s priorities, especially while the threat of COVID-19 hovers over the city’s approximately 350 thousand residents.
Magalong lamented, local government budgetary limitations may delay the city’s 2020 projects in the pipeline.
However, he expressed optimism the current set of officials may yet be able to source out national and international funding.
He guaranteed the city shall aggressively pursue lined-up projects including its waste-to-energy facility; integrated public transport terminal; and, waste water management plant addressing contamination of rivers and waterways.
To aid in the character-shaping of the city’s youth, the planned convergence center at the Baguio Athletic Bowl shall push through in October this year.
By September, the “smart city” app, ushering the city to e-governance is expected to be operational. The project features an integrated response center to manage peace, order and security concerns in the city, the mayor added.
Improvement of vehicular traffic; management of air quality and the environment; advancement of disaster response; lighting of city streets; flood and soil erosion control; and, trouble-free business processes in the city shall remain part of the city’s continuing projects.
Meanwhile, the mayor forecasts that the city’s public market will be modernized through a public-private partnership scheme, in close coordination with the city council.
He likewise said local tourism shall be pursued with vigor, rebranding the city as a safe getaway once quarantine measures are loosened up.
To address education concerns under the “new normal”, he said the local government shall augment infrastructure facilities and learning equipment.
Showing the local government was not only preoccupied with COVID-19, a cashless transaction scheme shall be launched this month together with the economic stimulus package for micro and small enterprises.**Julie G. Fianza
