Baguio back to zero after ADB withdraws STP loan

BAGUIO CITY — The city government of Baguio will now be looking for other ways to realize its goal of improving the city’s Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP).

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed disappointment after the Asian Development Bank (ADB) withdrew its loan offer to the city. The mayor also lamented the loss of approximately $1 million in grant money that was previously provided for the project’s feasibility study.

He stated that for about four months, the Baguio local government has been searching for sufficient funds to pay fines imposed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) due to the pollution of the Balili River. The city is required to pay P72 million annually because of the river pollution.

Magalong criticized the councilor heading the sanitation committee for an alleged failure to take appropriate action to solve the city’s problem. In September last year, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) removed the project from its list after the city failed to secure approval from the Baguio City Council.

Magalong emphasized that many residents in the provinces of Benguet and La Union are being adversely affected by river pollution caused by the activities of the city’s inhabitants.

“Ngayon, maraming nagkakasakit diyan, lalo na diyan sa Benguet at La Union, sino ba ang ibang sisisihin kundi tayo,” he lamented.
(“Now, many are getting sick there, especially in Benguet and La Union. Who else will we blame but ourselves?”)