BETTER YEAR. The city government of Baguio hopes to create at least 2,000 jobs from the implementation of several big-ticket projects with the help of the national government. In the pipeline are pet projects that were put on hold due to Covid-19 response measures. (PNA file photo)
BAGUIO CITY – The city government here hopes to create some 2,000 jobs when it starts implementing numerous big-ticket infrastructure projects in partnership with the national government.
Aileen Refuerzo, chief city information officer, on Monday said “the project funded by the local government, national government and others are expected to generate around 2,000 employments.”
Among these projects are a sports complex at the Baguio Athletic Bowl which includes the rehabilitation of the tennis court, outdoor archery range, swimming pool bleachers and office building, comfort rooms, coffee shop, storage areas, and mini-conference room; construction of athletes’ quarters; isolation hub; outdoor facilities for wall climbing; skate park; development of Wright Park, Bayan Park, and Eco-Park; multi-level greenhouse at Botanical Garden; Green Walks projects and sidewalk rehabilitation; digital transformation center; second phase arboretum; Irisan barangay hall; and rehabilitation of the City Hall multi-purpose hall and gym.
Also lined up under public-private partnership (PPP) are the city market development; inter-modal transport facility; development of abattoir with cold storage facility; Mines View Park glass walk; cable car and elevated monorail; and smart city mobility system.
Refuerzo said the city government is likewise working out the rehabilitation of the sewerage system that is scheduled for bidding this year.
She said “these projects will be pursued but the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) response will remain a priority.”
“The city is not only focused on Covid-19 management but also our recovery and this year, we'll showcase how well our city will recover and build back to its original glory in many ways,” she said.
In a press release issued by the city, Magalong was quoted as saying “2022 is a banner year for Baguio City’s recovery with a lot of developments in store".
“Despite being hit by another (coronavirus disease) surge now, we are still very optimistic that we will have a good year this year because we have a lot of things to look forward to. This year, we expect a rebound in our economy and at the same time we have a lot of strategic projects that will be taking off,” the mayor said.
He said the first quarter of the year may still be difficult not only for the city but he is confident that Baguio will be able to surpass the challenges brought about by the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Magalong said the city hopes to begin the implementation of several priority development projects that they have worked on in the last three years. (PNA)
