BAGUIO CITY July 17 – Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong announced the city government plans to put up a six-storey parking structure at the back of the city-owned Baguio Convention Center (BCC) to provide adequate parking spaces for residents and visitors of the city.
The local chief executive disclosed the funding for the project will come from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) pursuant to the commitment of DPWH-CAR regional director Engr. Tiburcio Canlas who reportedly assured him the funds will come from the agency’s budget in the next 2 years.
Magalong instructed concerned offices of the local government to ensure the proposed area at the back of the city property will be free from encumbrances so that the DPWH can work out the provision of the funds for the realization of this parking structure to accommodate a significant number of motor vehicles thus lessening the obstructions along roads around the city.
However, City Administrator Engr. Bonifacio dela Peña revealed the funds for the project will not be released in one time but on a staggered basis within the next two years to ensure that the parking structure will be operational at the end of the 2nd year.
The city administrator claimed the city tourism and special events office will be included in the proposed 6-storey parking structure to address the absence of a decent office for the city’s tourism frontliners.
Magalong ordered the concerned offices of the local government to conduct the required survey of the area to enable the city government to appropriately deal with those who encroached on the property, as one of the requirements of the DPWH is for the issuance of a certification from the end-user that the property to be developed will be free from encumbrances and informal settlers.
According to the city administrator, the DPWH will release some P100 million every year in the next two years to bankroll the completion of the project that will showcase state-of-the-art construction methodologies as an example of the type of structures that can be erected in the city.
Dela Peña assured concerned sectors of the city that the city government will closely monitor the construction to ensure the contractor complies strictly with the project plans and specifications.
The proposed area is inside the lot purchased by the local government from the State-owned Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) way back in 2012. **by Dexter A. See
