WITH land for housing purposes already scarce in Baguio, a developer suggested for the City Government to consider vertical development as one way of addressing housing problems.

Goshen chief executive officer Alexander Bangsoy said city officials should now consider amending the Zoning Code and allow the construction of buildings, particularly those intended for housing to extend to six storeys instead of the usual four.

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The City Government limits the height of buildings for safety reasons when some buildings in Baguio collapsed during the 1990 earthquake.

"It is time to revisit vertical development in Baguio," Bangsoy said, adding that vertical development could be a solution to housing concerns, especially now there is hardly any space for housing purposes.

Bangsoy said socialized housing could be done through vertical development. The concept would be condominium type at a lesser price, he said.

He, however, asked for the public to be open-minded, with an apartment or condominium type of living. He said many buyers are not open to this as many prefer having yards and to live near the business district.

Another concept is to pursue the Blisst urban development program.

Bangsoy said for those looking for cheaper property to purchase, buyers should look outside of Baguio and try looking for pieces of real estate in Tuba, Itogon, Sablan and in the Ambuklao Road area.

He said a 45-minute to an hour's drive away from Baguio is still reasonable.

Overseas Filipino Workers, in fact, buy properties outside of Baguio, Bangsoy said.

He said this same concept is adopted in other countries as well as in the greater Manila area where many have jobs in cities in the National Capital Region, but live in Cavite, Rizal and Laguna among other provinces.

Tuba and Itogon towns in Benguet province are two and three times larger than Baguio. But developed areas only account for three and seven percent, respectively.

Baguio, on the other hand is 49 percent development, Bangsoy said pointing out the city has already exceeded its carrying capacity.

He said those who are low on budget could buy properties in the nearest Benguet town because real estate is priced lower than in Baguio.

He added properties are priced higher in Baguio because land development is more expensive in the city.

Roads, drainage systems, power installation and provision of ripraps all add to the cost, which will be passed on to buyers eventually, Bangsoy explained. (Rimaliza Opiña)