Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong vowed to sustain efforts and programs to confront and rise above urban challenges facing the city even as he urged city officials and employees to begin the year with renewed discipline, integrity and purpose.
In his New Year message delivered during City Hall’s first flag raising ceremony of the year on Jan. 5, he said that while a new year brings hope, progress depends on sustained action and accountability in public service.
He called on government workers to reflect not only on their duties but also on the deeper purpose of serving the people of Baguio.
The mayor also outlined the city’s key challenges and accomplishments reiterating that since 2019, the city has been operating beyond its urban carrying capacity.
Despite this, he said the city confronts this dilemma by shaping policy decisions towards arresting urban decay. He said the city has made significant strides over the past seven years in environmental stewardship, climate resilience and sustainability even earning both national and international recognition.
He said these efforts remain anchored on the city’s seven-point agenda and long-term vision, Baguio 2043: A Livable, Inclusive and Creative City.
One pressing concern he tackled was sanitation and waste management exacerbated by a growing population and rising number of visitors.
To address this, he said the city has strengthened waste segregation, improved collection systems and enforced greater accountability at the barangay level.
The mayor said the city has been pursuing its sustainable waste management activities through the Circular Economy program dubbed “Pansa-nopen Tayo.” He said with the support of the European Union-Philippines Green Economy Program through the United Nations Development Programme, the city has made major strides in its Circular Economy (CE) program with significant developments reported in its three waste circularity portfolios for the barangays, green education and sustainable tourism.
He said the city received donations including vehicles dedicated to food waste and plastic collection and materials for the construction of Black Soldier Fly facilities. The city is also constructing a centralized Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Dontogan, which is expected to significantly boost the city’s waste management capacity and support the transition from a linear to a circular economy where waste is reduced and transformed into resources.
On water security, Magalong said the city government, in partnership with the Baguio Water District, is taking a long-term approach by working with the United Kingdom government on a climate-resilient water management study. The initiative aims to protect water sources, improve distribution, and prepare the city for future climate risks.
Traffic congestion, particularly during peak tourist seasons, remains another major concern. The mayor said solutions will go beyond road widening, focusing instead on improved traffic management, data-driven decision-making, and stronger inter-agency coordination. He cited the launch of a Baguio City Police Office app that allows the public to view real-time traffic and parking conditions, alongside long-term plans for better public transport, safer walkways, modular parking buildings, and policies that promote efficient mobility.
Magalong also addressed the long-standing issue of sewer waste and wastewater treatment. He announced the establishment of a pilot decentralized sewage treatment plant at the City Engineering Office grounds through a partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and FujiClean Company. The facility uses Johkasou technology, a compact system that treats wastewater on-site to help ease pressure on existing infrastructure.
Beyond local concerns, the mayor underscored the broader national issues of inefficiency, lack of accountability, and corruption, reminding officials and the public not to become complacent amid unresolved corruption cases. He stressed the importance of continuing to demand justice and uphold transparency in governance.
Responding to criticisms that his campaign for good governance has lost relevance, Magalong insisted that good governance is not a political slogan but a continuing commitment reflected in policies, programs, and responsible use of public funds.
“This is not for me. This is for Baguio, for this country, for our children, and for generations to come,” the mayor said, calling on city officials to make the year one marked by courage, justice, efficiency and honesty. – Baguio City Public Information Office