‘Only one barangay remains livable in Baguio’

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Only one among the city's 128 barangays remains livable, a study on livability conducted by the City Planning Development and Sustainability Office showed.

The study also labeled two barangays as with declining status and the rest as moderately livable. 

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the barangay livability index study was done alongside the barangay digital twin project, which provides digital representations of the basic units based on audit and mapping of existing structures and remaining natural covers.

Both studies aim to determine the current status of barangays and serve as guide for the city government in deciding on local development thrusts towards becoming livable, inclusive, creative, sustainable and resilient. 

The livability index, presented earlier at a townhall meeting, showed that only Barangay South Drive made the cut as a livable community.

Barangays Lower Dagsian and San Antonio Village manifested a declining livability, 41 were found to be moderately livable and the remaining 84 were of minimum livability compliance.

The indicators used in the study include health centers, food sources, safety and security, accessibility, mobility, presence of essential retail and services, community spaces, clean water supply and good governance.

The livability index is part of the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Development Plan 2024-2032, which was approved recently by the City Development Council. It will be submitted for approval by the Regional Land Use Committee and the Baguio City council.