Baguio City joins sustainable cities program

The city government of Baguio is leveling up on its commitment to become a sustainable city with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Regional Director Victorino Aquitania and Project Officer Kristianne Jemi Santos of the International Council for Local Environmental Incentives (ICLEI) – Local Government for Sustainability Southeast Asia (ICLEI SEA) for the implementation of the Safe and Sound (S2Cities) program.

The MOU signed on Friday, March 10 marked the start of the activities for the local implementation of the youth-focused Safe and Sound (S2Cities) program which aims to improve young people’s well-being and safety in urban environments.

The program will consist of an urban safety survey, stakeholder consultations, and capacity-building activities, among others.

During the signing, Mayor Magalong emphasized the role of the youth in challenging the status quo to allow young people to decide and lead.

“Through the S2Cities program, we hope to make Baguio a good example of safe urban development and youth participation in city planning,” said Mayor Magalong.

Baguio’s youth make up over 75,000 or around 21 percent of the city’s over 360,000 citizens based on the latest population survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

ICLEI SEA Regional Director Aquitania stressed that the S2Cities programs serves as a platform for youth to transform the city through their innovative ways.

Cordillera Youth Center Executive Director Keidy Transfiguracion and Program Director Gab Siscar were also present at the ceremonial signing to help implement the project.

Others present at the MOU signing were Councilor Levi Lloyd Orcales and City Planning and Development Officer Arch. Donna Tabangin.

ICLEI SEA and the city government have previously worked together in various sustainable development projects, including the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign; Sustainable Water Integrated Management and Governance; and, One Planet Cities Challenge among others. – Patrick Balanon