Despite setbacks caused by the Covid-19, Baguio is poised to break ground stalled big-ticket projects before the year ends.
City Administrator Bonifacio dela Peña said the city already awarded the P100-million public works contract for the rehabilitation of the drainage system from Lake Drive, Burnham Park to Magsaysay Avenue.
In a press conference on Nov. 24, he said the project addresses flooding in the central business district during torrential rains.
“It will commence as soon as the imported materials arrive. We want to do away with stopgap solutions by using quality materials from now on,” he said.
Dela Peña said before December ends, the P434M contract for the construction of the youth convergence center and sports complex at the Athletic Bowl will be awarded.
He said the city government is financing the project with Baguio Rep. Marquez Go promising to source out additional P50M.
“Plans and estimates are already 95 percent complete for the project expected to be completed by 2022,” dela Peña said.
“We want to do this correctly. We are consulting with the Philippine Sports Commission whose representatives are extending their expertise pro-bono,” he added.
He reported the extension of the Athletic Bowl bleachers is ongoing, as well as the provision of a parking area inside the facility for 200 vehicles.
“These are called multi-year projects. While commenced this year, completion is scheduled in the coming year or even 2022,” dela Peña said.
He added two barangay halls, one costing P56M and the other P37M, are likewise in the pipeline. – Gaby Keith
