BAGUIO CITY - At least P92 million has been earmarked by the city government and approved by the city development council for 20 projects outlined in the city's annual investment plan to boost development in 128 barangays. Out of the total fund of P92.22 million, two-thirds or P62.22 million would be for 20 major city infrastructure projects and the remaining P30 million will be equitably distributed for various barangay projects. Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan suggested barangays where the major projects will be implemented will no longer be given allocation for additional projects out of the P30 million allotment for identified grassroots level projects so that all barangays will be able to receive a slice of the pie.
The city development council is empowered by the Local Government Code of the Philippines to prioritize barangay projects in coordination with the city planning and development office. Domogan said proposed barangay projects which will not be funded by the city government will be subsequently submitted to Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara for funding out of his Priority Development Assistance (PDAF). Funds could also be sources from other congressional initiatives so that there will be an equitable distribution of projects for the benefit of local residents, especially those living in the barangays where the projects will be implemented. The identified city projects will focus on solid waste management, parks and roads development, rehabilitation of Block Iv of the Baguio City public market and fencing of the city's mixed land use site at barangay Sto. Tomas Apugan barangay which was earlier pinpointed as the city's permanent site for the put up of an engineered sanitary landfill. Based on the itemized projects, the CDC allocated P12.62 million for the market project that will follow the ongoing upgrading of Block III which was cleared of shanties earlier this year, and P5 million for the fencing of the Sto. Tomas property, which will serve as the site for the city's engineered sanitary landfill. For the city's solid waste management program, the CDC approved P10 million budget for the benching and stabilization as post-closure maintenance of the Irisan open dumpsite and another P10 million to improve the materials recovery facility inside. (Dexter A. See)
