BAGUIO CITY COUNCIL TACKLES PROJECT DELAYS

May 17, 2024 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

The Baguio City Council discussed several issues causing delays in the implementation of the city’s infrastructure projects during its regular session on May 13, 2024. Councilor Mylen Yaranon attributed these delays to the lack of proper and comprehensive plans in place and the lack of feasibility studies, which are crucial for assessing the viability and cost-effectiveness of projects. A proposed ordinance is currently pending before the city council’s Committee on Ethics, Governmental Affairs, and Personnel, which would mandate the preparation of all project proposals and feasibility one year in advance.

Arch. Donna Tabangin, department head of the City Planning and Sustainability Development Office (CPSDO), agreed that delays in project implementation are caused by incomplete Programs of Works (POWs) and lack of feasibility studies. She suggested that improving the planning phase with ample time would reduce problems causing delays in the implementation of projects. To reduce project problems such as delays, nonimplementation, and project reversals, Tabangin suggested aligning project selection with the updated City Land Use Plan (CLUP) and Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP).

This would ensure alignment from local to national levels while also addressing the absence of a clear roadmap for project priorities. Atty. Noreen Bragas of the DPWH-Cordillera agreed to provide a copy of their guidelines for conducting feasibility studies to the city council pointed out that conducting a feasibility study is a case-by-case basis with specifics of each project determining the necessity and depth of a feasibility study. Councilor Benny Bomogao suggested adding provisions to the ordinance specifying the types of projects that must have a feasibility study, particularly those with funding amounts of five million pesos and above.

Engr. Richard Lardizabal, representing the City Engineering Office (CEO), acknowledged past challenges in project implementation such as project overlaps with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

SP/Jordan G. Habbiling council. Members of the city