City aims to become ‘resilient’ by 2026

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city government is committed to the United Nation’s Making Cities Resilient (MCR) 2030 program and expressed confidence that the Summer Capital will achieve ‘resilience hub’ status by 2026 or four years earlier than the program’s target.

The program aims to ensure that cities become inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable by 2030 pursuant to UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 mandating for such an outcome.

        
The Mayor explained that the program’s focus is on cities because based on a study, these places are where most people migrate to in search of jobs and other opportunities.

“Kaya ang tinututukan talaga because of climate change is the enhancement of climate action and strategies on the resiliency of cities like Baguio,” Magalong said.

He disclosed that the local government has applied and is committed to MCR 2030 but has decided to go for 2026 to make this popular tourist destination resilient. 

“Kaya nga meron tayong three-year resiliency program where we are partnering with international organizations who provided us grants for capability and capacity building in collaboration with the National Resiliency Council (NRC) because any action plan will entail costs,” the Mayor said.

He revealed that Baguio has a high ‘risk index’ and is one of the country’s vulnerable cities when it comes to disasters.  

The city government recently kicked-off various activities in line with the observance of National Disaster Resilience Month with the theme, “Bantayog ng Katatagan at ang Pagbubuklod sa Layuning Kahandaan”. – Gaby B. Keith