BAGUIO CITY — The House of Representatives has approved a bill seeking to create a development authority covering Baguio City and the neighboring towns of Benguet Province–La Trinidad, Itogon, Sublan, Tuba, and Tublay (BLISTTDA).
Much like the Metropolitan Manila system, the envisioned BLISTTDA aims to promote the rational development and delivery of basic services in Baguio City and the adjacent Benguet towns, according to its proponent, Baguio lone district Rep. Mark Go.
Go said on Friday Congress had voted 225-0 in favor of House Bill 6974, which he authored.
Go said that once approved in the Senate, BLISTTDA would exercise management, regulatory, and supervisory authority over Baguio and the said Benguet towns.
The authority, he added, would include services of development planning, urban renewal, land use planning, housing and shelter formulation, transport and traffic management, solid waste disposal and management, flood control and sewerage management, water resource system, health and sanitation, pollution control, and public safety and order.
“Once enacted into law, The BLISTT Development Authority will be a government entity endowed with corporate powers that will be responsible for planning and implementing basic area-wide services without diminution of the autonomy of the LGUs concerning purely local matters,” Go said.
He added his proposed measure would render services with wider coverage and impact, as well as the rationalized use of infrastructure and thoroughfares, transport and traffic management, environment, tourism, water supply, waste management, migration, and housing.
“Its establishment will proffer a roadmap to achieve a sustainable social and economic growth for the interest and benefit of the people,” Go said. “I fervently hope that this will be passed into law for this will be a milestone for the Cordillera.”
According to Go, considering the land resources of the Baguio and the economic boom it is experiencing, bringing together the adjacent towns with it will not only benefit Baguio but its neighbors.
“We should think in a more holistic manner of approach in targeting what is needed to be done, not only in Baguio City but also in the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sublan, Tuba, and Tublay,” Go said. **PNA
