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.

“BIAG fills a specific gap: The period between the loss of household electricity and full power restoration, particularly when residents cannot safely or conveniently travel to a central charging location,” Cawis said in a news release Tuesday.

He said the city can expand the program by putting up charging stations in communities, aside from the two existing central stations.

Cawis said amid the heavy rains that caused blackouts last week, temporary charging stations were set up at the lobby of the city hall and the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center (BCCC) where the public brought their devices.

Charging stations were likewise put up during the prolonged blackout last year, also due to severe weather.

He said communities can also establish Barangay Emergency Power Points using available city and village-owned generators and portable power systems so people will not have to travel far. (PNA)