The city government targets to achieve economic expansion by 2028 through creativity, innovation, and digital integration, based on the 2025-2028 Executive Legislative Agenda (ELA) comprehensive plan.
The plan outlines four major initiatives – the pursuit of new local economic enterprises, development of the Baguio Creative Website, creation of the Baguio MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) Startup and Innovation Desk, and the development of the Smart Economic Integration Program.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said these initiatives form part of the city’s broader strategy to “create an environment that supports innovation, empowers local industries, and ensures efficient public service delivery.”
He also said that through the programs, Baguio aims to expand its economic base, enhance competitiveness in the global market, and solidify its role as a creative and digital hub by 2028.
In 2017, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed the city as among the UNESCO creative cities for arts and crafts, prompting the city and the private sector to come up with initiatives towards further honing the artistic talents, skills, and the industry to make it economically viable and its continuing effort to nurture the creative economy.
Aileen Refuerzo, chief information officer of the city government, said in a phone interview with the Philippine News Agency that the plan establishes programs that aim to optimize local resources, enhance competitiveness, and streamline government processes for efficiency and transparency.
She specified possible economic enterprises that can help boost the income of the city.
“Between 2025 and 2028, the city aims to establish the Maharlika Livelihood Center, Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, Baguio Center Mall, Baguio City Market and Animal Crematorium as sustainable local economic enterprises,” she said.
The Maharlika Livelihood Center located at the foot of Session Road was turned over to the city government’s management after the expiration of the land’s lease contracts. The situation is the same with the Baguio Center Mall, while the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center was purchased by the city government from the Government Service Insurance System using funds from its share in the lease of Camp John Hay.
“These programs aim to optimize local resources, enhance competitiveness, and streamline government processes for efficiency and transparency,” she said.
Refuerzo said that included in the economic plan are the MSME and Startup Incubation Program scheduled for 2026, which will lead to the institutionalization of the Baguio Startup and MSME Ecosystem Roadmap 2030.
She added that also included in the target by 2028 is the creation of a Baguio Startup Hub and Innovation Shared Facility for MSMEs to further boost local enterprise development.
“The Smart Economic Integration Program will spearhead the city’s digital transformation through automation and online services,” she said.
This includes the digitization of processes, such as online payment portals and a centralized online application system for payment processing of all city taxes and fees, including fully digital major payment processes, supported by multiple online banking platforms.
On the other hand, the Baguio Creative Website will serve as an online platform to identify, connect, and commission local artists for creative projects and collaborations.
Set to be fully operational by 2028, the initiative begins with the launch of a Baguio Creative E-Commerce Platform and Artists Registry followed by research on the city’s creative sectors and integration of a comprehensive digital artists’ registry.
Also included in the plan is the scaling up and continuous improvement of the Local Economic Investment and Development Plan (LEIDP) for long-term sustainability.
Refuerzo said the city government is ironing out its plans for the economic enterprises to allow the city to fully maximize its potential, which will give the local government a source of income for its various development programs and projects, and public service. (PNA)