Baguio makes headway on sustainable development goals
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong —Photo by Lyn Rillon | Philippine Daily Inquirer
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The summer capital has made significant progress in achieving its sustainable development goals (SDGs) by adopting innovative strategies and embracing a circular economy, according to the latest government performance review.
The report, presented May 5 by the City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office and its consultants, highlighted strong performance in Goal 11 (making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable) and Goal 13 (taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts).
“Baguio is on a positive track with a majority of the assessed SDG indicators,” the review stated.
READ: More Baguio residents engage in rooftop, backyard food production
The SDGs are a United Nations initiative aiming to reduce global poverty by 50% by 2030, with 17 target areas including Goal 2 (zero hunger) and Goal 10 (reducing inequalities).
Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who won a third term in a five-candidate race on May 12, launched Baguio’s transformation into a smart city during his first term in 2019.
Despite global economic headwinds and the lingering impact of pandemic-era lockdowns, the SDG report noted that Baguio’s economy remains robust. The Philippine Statistics Authority’s April report also showed the city maintaining a 3.2% inflation rate in March. /lzb
