BAGUIO Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that the city is now eyeing a new project to help resolve the issue of informal settlers in the city.
Termed “livable communities,” Magalong said that the city will give beneficiaries the opportunity and responsibility to plan the improvements to be committed in their communities, with the city stepping back and taking a support role by capacity building and providing resources instead of leading the improvements.
According to him, the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) is conducting preparations for the establishment of such communities in identified locales of interest, to be followed by initial capacity-building efforts.
Initial targeted barangays include Barangay Happy Hallow, and Barangay Bakakeng Central.
“They will plan out for their roads, pathways, drainage, sanitation and sewerage systems along with open spaces and recreation areas to alleviate their living condition,” the mayor said.
“It is challenging but it is about time that the responsibility be transferred to the affected people so they will give importance to the program,” he added.
The plan, according to Magalong, will be to use the initial communities, if successful, as blueprints for the creation of other such communities in the future.
The program also includes assistance for the legitimization of claims and relocation plans.
