Baguio rehab starts

BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has called on residents to prepare for the planned rehabilitation of the country’s summer capital.

During a recent gathering at Camp Bado Dangwa, Magalong explained this was a result of a series of meetings with high ranking government officials.

“We have to prepare because the Secretary of Tourism together with the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) Secretary will be coming in January 10, 2020 and they will declare that after Boracay and Manila Bay, Baguio City will undergo rehabilitation. This is a result of consultation meetings that we had with the three secretaries because we need to rehabilitate specially our environment,” Magalong said.

Magalong said they are looking to improve city’s sewer system.

“We really have to invest on sewer system which is why we are currently fixing on how to bill households on their sewer system. It’s about time that we invest because can you just imagine our rivers which are heavily contaminated,” Magalong added.

The mayor clarified and assured that no closure will be done during the rehabilitation of the city since Baguio has a different situation.

Earlier, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat confirmed Baguio is in line for rehabilitation after the successful rehabilitation of Boracay Island and the on-going efforts done in Palawan and other beach destinations in the country.

The National and City Governments are planning to revive the City of Pines by relocating some of its structures, mostly private homes that are built on its slopes.

Magalong earlier ordered to prohibit the cutting of trees in the city, as well as issuing a halt on the constructing of new buildings and homes.