Manila: The city government here is looking at establishing public charging stations for use during calamities and prolonged outages. Vittorio Jerico Cawis, administrator of the Baguio City local government, said Project BIAG (Baguio Integrated Access to Generator) aims to extend the essential public service of providing a safe place to charge devices. 'Biag' is an Ilocano word for life.

According to Philippines News Agency, Cawis explained that BIAG addresses the crucial period between the loss of household electricity and full power restoration. This initiative is particularly important when residents cannot safely or conveniently travel to a central charging location. The program's expansion plans include setting up charging stations in communities, in addition to the two existing central stations.

Amid heavy rains that caused blackouts last week, temporary charging stations were established at the lobby of the city hall and the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center (BCCC). These stations provided the public with a place to charge their devices. Similar efforts were made during the prolonged blackout last year, which was also caused by severe weather conditions.

Cawis further mentioned that communities have the option to establish Barangay Emergency Power Points using available city and village-owned generators and portable power systems. This measure would allow residents to access power without having to travel far, enhancing the overall resilience of the community during emergencies.