BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance adopting a Baguio City Code pursuing a Private Public Partnership for the People Initiative for Local Governments (LGU P4) approach towards development, providing for the procedure for selecting the private sector proponent, adopting a contract management framework and providing appropriations and for other purposes.
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Elmer Datuin, stated that the City of Baguio shall advance the public good and general welfare and promote the interest of the community and the city within the framework of sustainable and integrated development, and effective constructive engagement and meaningful people’s participation in local governance.
The LGU P4 shall be pursued by the city consistent with and in furtherance of the vision and mission of the city which states that Baguio is home of diverse and dynamic cultures, center of education, trade, and tourism in harmony with nature managed by God-loving steadfast leaders in partnership with responsible and peace-loving citizenry and that the people shall create a sustainable and enabling environment that will promote economic stability and ensure the general well-being of the citizenry.
The code is being adopted pursuant to the city’s constitutional and statutory authorities enumerated under the provisions of the ordinance and when not inconsistent with the relevant laws, information shall govern the adoption and implementation of the LGU P4 modalities.
The ordinance provided the city, through the appropriate and viable LGU P4 mode, may undertake development projects, including but not limited to, singly or with other related components, energy and power, renewable energy, waste-to-energy, roads, bridges, causeways, waterways, highways, sports, wharfs, terminals, airports, community airports, canals, dams, de-silting, dredging, mining and exploration, hydro power projects, water supply and distribution, sewerage, irrigation, drainage, water conservation such as impoundment areas and rainwater harvesting, telecommunications, railroads and railways, short-haul transit services such as monorail, guided bus, bus services and terms, inter-modal and multi-modal transit systems, transport systems, traffic control and management, parking facilities, reclamation projects, platform settlements, industrial estates or townships, central business and industrial park development, hotels and resorts, socialized housing, non-conventional low-cost housing, settlement or resettlement and relocation facilities, residual subdivisions, parks and open spaces development or redevelopment, pocket parks, public art, libraries, heritage conservation, government buildings among others.
The city shall identify specific priority development projects that may be undertaken under any of the LGU P4 modalities defined under the pertinent provisions of the ordinance.
In undertaking the specific LGU P4 project, the city may adopt and pursue any of the LGU P4 modalities and provide for other modalities not inconsistent with existing laws, rules and regulations.
The proposal was referred by the City Council to the appropriate committee for study and recommendation prior to its being approved on second and third reading.
By Dexter A. See