BAGUIO CITY – Mayor-elect Benjamin B. Magalong assured that the local government will have quick wins for the city’s prevailing traffic problem and solid waste management once he will assume his post by June 30, 2019.
He claimed that there are already identified short and long-term solutions to the current traffic and solid waste management problems of the city wherein its results will be felt by the people within a span of one to two months after the same shall have been put in place.
”We will hit the ground going because of the huge expectations from us. We have already identified short-term solutions to our pressing problems which we will put in place as soon as we will be sworn into office,” Magalong stressed.
The retired police official claimed that among the lined up solutions for the city’s traffic woes include the calibration of the different streetlights around the central business district, the towing of stalled vehicles along roads, the strengthening of the Anti-Road Obstruction Order (ARO), and strict enforcements of existing traffic laws, rules and regulations.
On the other hand, the incoming local chief executive disclosed that the local government will try to look for available land that could be used as an impounding area for motor vehicles that will be towed and for the strengthening of the city’s traffic management office to include the hiring of a traffic engineer who will craft the appropriate plans to ease the worsening traffic congestions around the city.
According to him, the local government will try to venture on the latest technology for waste-to-energy among other available technologies to solve the solid waste management problems of the city amidst issues on toxic emissions that could also be effectively and efficiently be addressed by latest technologies.
Further, he will also hold office in the closed Irisan dumpsite right on the second day as the mayor so that concerned departments in charge of solid waste will be able to feel the hardships of the people living in the area on the foul odor emanating from the operation of the city’s Environmental Recycling system (ERS) machines, thus, the operator of the same should already embrace the appropriate technology that will rid the place of the obnoxious odor for the convenience of the people in the area.
Magalaong pointed out that the proposed long-term solutions will follow after the short-term solutions of the city’s pressing shall have been put in place so that Baguio City will remain as one of the premier tourist destinations in the country to the present and the future.
He stated that there must be something significant that should be done for the people to be able to feel the presence of the incoming administration of the local government by the end of June.
Magalong will be taking over the position that will be vacated by incumbent Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan who will be ending his second 3-term as the city’s local chief executive .
Domogan served as a City Councilor in 1988 to 1992, City Mayor in 1992 to 2001, representative of the lone district of Baguio City to the House of Representatives in 2001 to 2010 and again as City Mayor in 2010 up to the present.
By Dexter A. See
