Master infra dev’t plan for Baguio, Benguet towns endorsed to RDC

By Marissa M. Cabato

BAGUIO CITY -- The development council of the Baguio City-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) growth area in the Cordillera Administrative Region endorsed its “sustainable urban infrastructure development  master plan” to the Regional Development Council during its meeting on June 15. The plan will guide decision-makers in preparation and approval of plans, policies, programs and projects for implementation in BLISTT.
    The endorsement comes with the condition to revise the priority projects, particularly integrated terminals and multi-modal transport system.
    Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong who is also BLISTT council chair, recommended alignment of the master plan with     Baguio City’s development projects, their locations and design.
    He added the city has ongoing projects in initial stages, including the waste-to-energy project in Sablan, integrated terminal exchange with multi-level parking, and alternative transport systems.

While these initiatives form part of a bigger development program linked to the city’s bid as the first Smart City in the country, it is also envisioned to benefit the rest of BLISTT.

Mayor Victorio Palangdan of Itogon said the proposed sanitary landfill in Itogon may push through since the Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment lifted its prohibition and the fund is still available.

He added that this should take into consideration the BLISTT waste-to-energy project.

On other project proposals, Mayor Romeo Salda of La Trinidad said that they have yet to identify private lots for a terminal in the area.

Lawyer George Fukai of Tuba Benguet said possible locations for the University Community are available but they have to work out reclassification of these lots to alienable and disposable lands.

Mayor Armando Lauro of Tublay said 20 hectares is available for the establishment of an agro-industrial economic zone in Tublay.

The National Economic and Development Authority funded the preparation of the BLISTT SUID master plan through consulting services which commenced in 2019.

In the same meeting, the mayors expressed anew their full support to House Bill 9215 that seeks to create the BLISTT Development Authority.  

Baguio Rep. Mark Go, co-author of the bill, said this will help institutionalize initiatives and governing structure of the BLISTT Council.

The Council approved the activity design on updating of the BLISTT action agenda 2017-2019 presented by NEDA regional director Susan Sumbeling.

Sumbeling said this will commence in July with an assessment.

Workshops are scheduled while approval of the updated BLISTT action Agenda is set on December.

The BLISTT is one of the primary growth centers in the Cordillera organized in 2014.

It has a governing council comprised of the mayors serving as the final decision and policy making body, and the development council as the program implementation and legislation arm.

The NRO serves as council secretariat.