Old buildings in Baguio to be refurbished

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – State buildings left rotting in Baguio City are due for a makeover.

Rather than tearing them down, City Mayor Mauricio Domogan saw the need to develop old structures found within the Central Business District (CBD).

The mayor said the 15-year-old structure at the Malcolm Square needs to be modernized immediately to address problems on its leaking roof and cracked walls.

“We have already appropriated P7.8 million for the total upgrading of the facility but based on plans and specifications of the City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO), the cost estimate for all the work to be done has reached P9 million more or less, “ said Domogan, who seeks to beautify spots in the city amid criticisms of an ailing  tourism industry in the country’s “Vacation Capital”.

The Malcolm Square, part of the design of Daniel Burnham, will remain as an open space for people within the CBD.

Renovation works are also underway for the Baguio Convention Center (BCC) in time for the city’s Charter Day celebrations on September 1.

The structure has been allotted a P15 million fund for its rehabilitation,  which comprises repairs for the roof, comfort rooms, replacement of carpets and seats, lighting and landscaping works.

The city government has acquired the structure including the 10,000 square meter parcel of land from the government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for P250 million under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed in February 2003 and January 2004.

The structure was constructed in 1974 and has been chosen as the venue for the 1978 World Chess Championship between Russian Grandmasters Anatoly Karpov and Victor Korchnoi.