Domogan says BLIST will solve Baguio’s problems

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The realization of the 15-year old expanded Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) growth area is the key to putting an end to the numerous problems being encountered by this city due to rapid urbanization.

This was bared by three-term Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan, who accepted the challenge of multi-sectoral groups to come back as the city’s mayor in order to bring back the glory days of Baguio, adding that the BLISTT concept is the potential solution to help address the city’s garbage, water, traffic and other problems caused by reported over population.

The BLISTT growth area is being pursued by the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera in order to address the worsening problems of the city government as well as promoting the development of local governments surrounding Baguio City similar to the Greater Manila Area (GMA).

According to Domogan, local officials of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay will be given equal importance through the conduct of continuous consultations with each other in order to craft a sustainable and doable growth area development plan for the BLISTT so that all their concerns will be substantially addressed before the same will be put in place.

He stressed the city government cannot solve the worsening garbage, water, traffic and urban development problems alone, thus, the surrounding communities must be tapped in order to have a share of the city’s booming development which could be instrumental in spurring economic progress in nearby places that could help improve the living condition of people in the BLISTT areas.

The RDC-Cordillera had been pursuing the realization of the BLISTT area over the past several years but the reported lack of interest of Baguio and Benguet officials to see the merits of the concept has stalled its immediate realization considering that each local government has a different view on the matter considering that it will only reportedly result to Baguio’s benefit.

However, Domogan disclosed what is important is for city officials to open the communication lines among them so that the matter will be constantly discussed in a descent matter so that all concerns will be deliberated and addressed for the crafting of the sustainable growth area development plan.