DPWH sets 100% increase for Baguio City infra projects

BAGUIO CITY – The infrastructure funds for this this city nearly doubled from last year’s allotment.

In the 2014 General Appropriations Act (GAA) enacted by Congress, the city received an allocation of P392.3 million.

This year the GAA rose to P679.6 million or an increase of 73.2 percent allowing for more development projects for the city.

All these were made possible by the active participation of Baguio Rep. Nicasio M. Aliping Jr. in the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations of which he is a member for the majority bloc.

Aliping said the Athletic Bowl upgrade and rehabilitation was allocated P50 million which will allow for a rubberized track and field oval to conform to international standards. “This will make it possible for us to host national games like the 2016 Palarong Pambansa,” he said.

Aside from the Athletic Bowl upgrade, Aliping said he worked out funding for various barangay infrastructure projects.

Already completed were construction of multipurpose building for Gibraltar barangay; construction of day care center requested by the Dizon-Manzanillo barangay; construction of covered courts at Atok Trail barangay, Andres Bonifacio/Cresencia Village barangay, Pinget barangay, and Asin Road barangay; installation of drainage at Alfonso Tabora barangay; construction of flood control system at Lower Quirino Hill barangay; and concreting of the Mercury Street Extension at Upper Quezon Hill barangay.

Also funded by the increased allocation are ongoing projects at Holy Ghost Proper, Green Water Village, San Vicente, Gabriela Silang, and Fort delPilar barangays. Projects lined up for implementation under the 2015 GAA are: the completion of the IBP Building, completion of the multipurpose barangay hall of Middle Rock Quarry barangay, and covered courts for barangays Country Club Village and Sto. Rosario.

Aside from barangay projects, the increased allocation will also allow for the completion of the second phase of the three story, nine classroom building at the Pines City National High School which was allotted P11 million.

Other P99.5 million was set aside for the construction of school buildings under the senior high school program of the government for the following: Baguio City National High School – Main, Guisad Valley National High School, Irisan National High School, Joaquin Smith National High School, Mil-an National High School, San Vicente National High School and Sto. Tomas National High School.

Another P65.6 million was also sourced from the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation (Pagcor) for the construction of a four story, 32-classroom building for the BCNHS-Irisan Annex.

To ensure the safety of students, the 2015 GAA will also fund the construction of three pedestrian overpasses at the BCNHS-Main, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, and along Bokawkan Road.

Farm-to-market roads will also be constructed at Loakan Proper, Sto. Tomas Proper, Lower Dagsian, Pinsao Proper, and Bakakeng Norte barangays under the farm-to-market road development program of the Department of Agriculture.

“We hope to further increase the infrastructure development of our beloved city next year as we have just finished deliberations in the committee level of the 2016 budget. We hope we can further increase the allocation for Baguio,” Rep. Aliping added.