The city council through Resolution 407, s. 2020 has recommended to Mayor Benjamin Magalong to use P8 million for the construction of quarantine centers in the different barangays in Baguio to strengthen government efforts in preventing and containing the spread of the Covid-19 in the locality.
The action supports the instruction of the mayor to Liga ng mga Barangay President Michael Lawana and City Health Services Officer Rowena Galpo to coordinate with the 128 barangays for the identification of areas where quarantine centers may be built.
City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente said the amount is the balance from the P78M assistance given by the national government as additional internal revenue allotment for Baguio in relation to the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” to combat the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
The city council on Monday approved Resolution 423, s. 2020 which extended the validity of building permits due to non-commencement of work or suspension due to the enhanced community quarantine in Baguio.
Section 305, Chapter 3 of Presidential Decree 1096 or the National Building Code of the Philippines, provides that a building permit shall expire and become null and void if the building or work is not commenced within one year from the date of such permit, or if the building or work is suspended or abandoned at any time after it has been commenced, for a period of 120 days.
“All building permits issued and are due this year (2020) should be automatically given a one-year extension, and for projects that were suspended or abandoned shall be given an extension of another 120 days from the resumption of the project,” Resolution 423 states.
Through Ordinance 101 s. 2020, the city council has appropriated P18.138M for urgent projects related to heightening public safety and health risk prevention during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The amount is for the purchase of thermoplastic paints and accessories for bicycle lanes – P4,325,000; purchase of two sets thermoplastic paint machines and two sets road marking removers – P2,089,800; construction of bridge connecting Maya and Aguila Streets at Barangay Dizon Subdivision – P3,959,080; procurement of international standard road signs and symbols – P6,809,920; and electrical system at the waste transfer station at Marcos Highway – P955,000.
In Resolution 411, s. 2020, the City Planning and Development Office and the City Engineer’s Office, together with the Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera were requested to craft a pedestrian safety action plan.
The resolution seeks for an updated policy that provides areas for walking and bicycling as part of the city’s planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance activities like in other smart cities here and abroad.
The pedestrian safety action plan must be consistent with the trend that transportation projects and construction should be aimed at increasing safety enhancements for all users including bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Also, road design must include travel lanes, road shoulders, parking spaces, pedestrian facilities, and consideration for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The council also requested the DPWH-CAR and DPWH Region 1 to install a truck weighing station at the Aspiras-Palispis (Marcos) Highway.
The weigh station is to ensure that the weight of vehicles traversing the highway are within the road’s load capacity as provided in Republic Act 8794 for purposes of keeping safe travel in the area and to preserve the structural integrity of road pavements and facilities.
Installing a weighing station would also stop overloading of vehicles, especially trucks, which could result in unnecessary destruction of properties and loss of lives.
Through Resolution 420, s. 2020, the Department of Education- Division of Baguio City was encouraged to consider hiring para-teachers by giving preference to retrenched personnel from private schools and unemployed graduates of Education in the implementation of the blended learning system.
Copies of the resolution were furnished to the regional and the national offices concerned for their information and appropriate action.
July 27, 2024
