A NEW way of life is being planned for the mountain city.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the transition for a new way life after April 30 is being drafted with input from different sectors.
Magalong added city officials are planning to open every sector in the city with very slow and gradual steps which can be easily adjusted according to needs and feedback.
“This transition is to have baby steps, gradual ito, so that we can immediately make adjustments and then plan our next moves,” the city mayor said.
Magalong on Monday allowed operation of hardware, office, electrical, auto, electronic and information and communications technology gadget stores for three days a week starting Thursdays until Saturday during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The mayor earlier said construction operations will be first to resume after the April 30 Luzon-wide ECQ, pointing to a dozen critical projects which need to be stabilized before the onset to the rainy season.
Magalong added the transport sector will be next to operate and normalize but stressed borders of the city will remain closed even after April 30.
“We have to learn from experiences from other countries if we ease up our borders, that is when they got their 2nd wave [of the diseases].”
The mayor assured that while taking baby steps in transitioning, the city will continue to close its borders and schools will be closed at least until May 31.
Magalong said the tourism and hotel and restaurant sectors will then be addressed in close coordination with the Tourism and Promotions Board.
The mayor said restaurants may be allowed to open for dine in operations eventually but with strict guidelines in social distancing and health protocols, adding guidelines for the BPO and manufacturing sectors are also in the pipeline.
“The concept of transition should never compromise the health and safety of the people of Baguio,” Magalong said.
On Monday, the city management committee and the department heads discussed an action plan for the economic recovery of the City.
Magalong said the plans will be implemented after April 30 if there is no extension of the Luzon-wide lockdown.