Baguio City mayor: ‘ Gov’t must be main user of BIBAK lot’

BAGUIO CITY  – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said needs of concerned government agencies and the local government should be priority in development and utilization of the 5,000-square meter lot of the Bontoc-Ifugao-Benguet-Apayao-Kalinga (BIBAK) along Harrison road here before anything else would be done in the said property.

The mayor said if there is a need to subject the property for development through the private-public-partnership scheme, the interest of the concerned government agencies and the local government should always be in the forefront of the consideration because the area is suitable to be developed as a one-stop government center for all the regional line agencies that do not have permanent offices in the city.

He said initial cost of P100 million for construction of a multi-story building in the area as cultural and multipurpose center endorsed thrice to the Dept. of Public Works and Highways for funding is too small compared to the comprehensive master development plan that was crafted for the property to serve its purpose.

 “There are a number of regional line agencies that are looking for office spaces in the city, thus, the best thing to do in the BIBAK property is for the said agencies to pool the funds earmarked for their rentals or find proper sources of funds that could be pooled to be used in constructing the desired building in the area where all offices will be situated thereby providing better environment for the people to transact business which will surely be much easier,” Domogan said.

According to him, the Cordillera Regional Development Council and the Regional Peace and Order Council will continue to follow up the matter with the DPWH so that the construction of the multi-story cultural and multipurpose building in the vacant property will be realized in the coming years.

 He said Baguio is a melting pot of different tribes where a venue to showcase their culture is equally important for the preservation and protection of the rich culture and traditions of the Cordillerans.

Earlier, the local government demolished dozens of illegal structures that were allegedly erected by informal settlers in the area to pave the way for the development of the property that will serve as the city’s cultural center among other uses of the proposed 8-storey building that will be erected in the area using government funds.

He said the local government does not collect any real property for the area because it is a government lot unlike before that the informal settlers were required to pay taxes for their declared improvements done in the area which does not mean conclusive ownership of the areas that their structures have occupied. -- Dexter A. See