The city council on Monday approved Ordinance 26, s. 2020, which requires any person to secure written certification from the barangay before commencing installation of utility lines, construction or rehabilitation of roadways, and other public improvement projects within the territorial jurisdiction of the barangays in Baguio.
The ordinance specifically prohibits laying of conduits, ducts or pipes, as well as major roadway construction or rehabilitation, and other public improvement projects, except under a written certification from the barangay that such projects have been explained.
Its purpose is to empower barangays in overseeing the implementation of projects/improvements within their respective areas to ensure public health, safety and welfare. It aims to address also the dilemma of barangays as the usual receiver/absorber of complaints, sentiments, and criticisms on certain activities, projects, and programs of the government agencies; private individuals; companies; and associations which were not informed to the residents.
As used in the ordinance, person means any individual, government agency, firm, company, association, society, corporation, or group.
Certification refers to a document issued by the barangay as the formal attestation of confirmation of a proposed project to be undertaken.
Utility lines shall include any wire, cable, conduit, poles, or other material for the transmission of distribution of electrical, telecommunications, audio/visual or other signals, impulses, or energy and water.
Application for a certification to be issued within five days from submission must be accompanied with the project’s plans and specifications, notice to proceed, and other related documents which will serve as guide of the barangay in its information, education, and communication campaign to its constituents regarding the nature, duration of commencement, and completion of the project.
Meanwhile, the body has invited to its March 9 session the authorized representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera to present the long-term solutions and milestones/accomplishments in relation to the rehabilitation of Kennon Road.
In line with the city’s policy of providing the public more access to the internet as a means of strengthening public participation in governance, the body in Resolution 133, s. 2020, has authorized Mayor Benjamin Magalong representing the city government to enter into a memorandum of agreement with Innove Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of Globe Telecom, Inc., for provision of a daily free public WiFi access in Baguio, subject to the rules of the National Telecommunication Commission and internal Globe Telecom mandates.
The initial prioritized public places for the free WiFi are at City Hall, Baguio General Hospital, City Public Market, Botanical Garden, Mines View Park, Burnham Park, and Maharlika Livelihood Center.
Aside from the benefit of participatory governance, the resolution promised that the free Wi-Fi would allow the constituents and visitors accessibility to information and such other services that can be transacted online like convenient payment of utility bills. Through the system, everybody can also enjoy watching local news, tourist attractions, wholesome entertainment, and government programs while in the said Wi-Fi areas.
In Resolution 135, s. 2020, the landscapers in Baguio were requested to adopt portions of certain parks and road sides/islands within the central business district to be maintained all-year round as their permanent entry to the annual landscaping exhibition and competition of the Panagbenga Festival.
The call is a challenge to the usual holding or setting up of entries of the landscaping exhibition and competition during the Panagbenga Festival in temporary venues like roads and parks and only to be dismantled a month later or after the festival.
The landscaping exhibition and competition showcases the skills of landscapers using plants and other earth materials in recreating natural sceneries that reflect the culture and heritage of the city.
The resolution assures that locating these garden landscapes in a permanent site, being maintained by the people with ardent love of nature, would be an additional year-round attraction for the city.
It also stressed that providing permanent sites for the activity is one way of appreciating and acknowledging the community involvement of the landscapers in the aesthetic and natural enhancement of the city at no cost to the city government.
In a joint Resolution 131, s. 2020, the body expressed condolences to the family of the late former officer-in-charge city councilor Carlos Honorio “Carl” Brilliantes Estepa, who died in February at the age of 65.
Estepa was born on Nov. 4, 1954 in Baguio. He finished his elementary education at Saint Louis Center and secondary education at Saint Louis Boys High. He obtained his college degree of Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the Saint Louis University in 1975 and earned his units in Master’s in Business Administration from the Baguio Colleges Foundation.
After serving as barangay councilman of Kabayanihan Barangay from June 1982 to 1987, he was appointed on Nov. 25, 1987 as OICcity councilor, replacing the late Nelsonida Marrero until his resignation on Feb. 2, 1988.
His private life was dedicated to real estate business and civic works through the Rotary Club of Baguio for which he was awarded as the best club president for the term 1962 to 1963. As president of the club, he introduced the Search for the Ten Outstanding Punong Barangays in the City of Baguio which is being undertaken until today. He was also a member of the Northwestern Luzon Growth Quadrangle which was created to bolster socio-economic development in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, and the Cordillera.
“Estepa lived a life of service to others whose leadership and excellent service made him an outstanding Rotarian leader, outstanding international business executive, outstanding president of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Association, outstanding real estate broker, and outstanding leader in Tourism.”
“The exemplary services he rendered left a legacy and unforgettable memory worth emulating that will remain in the hearts of those he touched and transformed,” reads the resolution.
April 26, 2024
