In line with programs of the current administration to help propel Baguio City’s economy, a team of planners has identified idle city properties or properties previously with private companies to be developed by the private sector.
Developing city properties is in line with plans of making Baguio an investment hub in Northern Luzon, said City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente.
The team has identified 18 priority investment projects like a modern abattoir along Marcos Highway, development of vacant lots beside Pines View Hotel at Legarda Road, the 40-hectare property donated by the de Guia family also at Marcos Highway, upper Session Road, the lot presently occupied by the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), and the rehabilitation and modernization of the city cemetery.
Other projects include the modern bus depots for north and south-bound buses at Magsaysay Avenue and Marcos Highway, waste to energy project, rehabilitation of the city market, upgrading of the Asin resort, executives cottages at the central business district, rehabilitation of the Asin mini hydro plants, Maharlika livelihood complex, Baguio Convention Center, Wright Park development, the Luna Terraces housing project at Irisan, and the sewerage treatment plant at North Sanitary Camp.
In the ongoing updating of the city’s land use plan, Clemente said the team is also considering converting open or idle spaces previously identified for city land needs for development, depending on its land use classification.
Among priority investment projects, the city market has been offered to investors through a public-private partnership venture and the sewerage treatment plant through a proposed loan to be facilitated by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.
The city government will also rebid the Asin resort this year as the contract of the current concessionaire will expire this year.
A concept plan for the construction of an apartelle, residential, or commercial building has already been prepared at the property where the PNA building stands.
Clemente said the city government is also poised on taking over Maharlika building whose contract with the DA is set to expire in 2025.
Clemente said the team will conduct feasibility studies for these priority investment projects to determine the best form of development suitable to the area, cost, and social acceptability, among other considerations. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
April 24, 2024
