Magalong reelected BLISST head; critical concerns aired
>> Wednesday, August 24, 2022
BAGUIO CITY - Mayor
Benjamin B. Magalong of this summer capital was reelected as chairperson of the
BLISTT Governing Council for 2022 to 2025.
In their meeting July 26, the local chief executives lauded his proactive stance in sustaining cooperation of officials in BLISTT (Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tublay, Tuba) and engaging the body in inter-local pandemic management from 2020 to 2021.
Mayor Romeo Salda of La Trinidad was elected vice chairperson.
During the meeting, several concerns were raised like the writ of kalikasan covering Mount Sto. Tomas in Tuba, BLISTT air quality in BLISTT and BLISTT outer circumferential road.
Lawyer Rainier Latta of the regional Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources presented the writ of Kalikasan of Mount Sto. Tomas Forest Reserve, covering five barangays in Tuba, Benguet.
The writ prohibits earth-moving activities, and bars issuance of business permits and tax declarations in the area by the local government.
This was issued by the Supreme Court in response to siltation of water sources of Baguio City and Tuba, and disturbance to the natural environment caused by construction and economic activities in the forest reserve.
The BLISTT Council expressed support to activities of the DENR to enforce the writ of kalikasan, including ongoing preparation of a long-term Mount Sto. Tomas conservation and management plan.
Wilhelmina Lagunilla of the Environmental Management Bureau of CAR (EMB-CAR) presented status of BLISTT air quality.
She bared an EMB report that indicated increase in air pollutants based on EMB-CAR instruments stationed in La Trinidad and Baguio City except in the Baguio Economic Zone in Loakan.
She said air pollutants will continue to increase resulting from resumption of normal activities post-pandemic.
The BLISTT mayors of Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay committed to pass their respective clean air ordinances, following the example of Baguio City and La Trinidad.
Citing concerns over delays in the completion of some sections of the project and the need to check the quality of finished work, the BLISTT Council agreed to join the regional project monitoring committee in a project visit of completed portions spanning 60.486 kilometers.
Dr. Jun Punzalan of Semen Cardona Filipinas presented a proposal for a BLISTT integrated food production project to help stabilize supply of pork, beef and goat meat, and prevent contamination of livestock and meat products in the BLISTT.
The proposed BLISTT-wide chain of livestock production recommended the LISTT municipalities to provide the land and undertake processing while Baguio City shall provide market and cold storage.
The mayors welcomed the proposal and asked Dr. Punzalan to consult with farmers and other stakeholders in each municipality.
On BLISTT governance, Baguio Rep. Mark Go said House Bill 9215, creating the Metropolitan BLISTT Development Authority (MBLISTTDA) was endorsed to the Office of the President on June 29. He said the BLISTT Council’s recommendation to include drafting of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) was added to the bill.
The current BLISTT set-up is institutionally challenged and lacks sufficient budget to operate effectively.
The BLISTT Council welcomed the news of Go, as the law mandates the BLISTT with capacity to implement high-impact projects and consolidate inter-local efforts to improve service delivery in the BLISTT.
The BLISTT inter-local cooperation was implemented through a memorandum of agreement on 17 January 2014.
The National Economic Development Authority Cordillera acts as the interim technical secretariat of the BLISTT governing and development councils
On BLISTT road connectivity, Philip Laberinto of regional NEDA reported its status as of March 2022 with 42.59% completed.
The P9.18-billion road project with a total length of 161.96 kilometers, aims to connect the BLISTT while skirting busy and congested roads.
In their meeting July 26, the local chief executives lauded his proactive stance in sustaining cooperation of officials in BLISTT (Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tublay, Tuba) and engaging the body in inter-local pandemic management from 2020 to 2021.
Mayor Romeo Salda of La Trinidad was elected vice chairperson.
During the meeting, several concerns were raised like the writ of kalikasan covering Mount Sto. Tomas in Tuba, BLISTT air quality in BLISTT and BLISTT outer circumferential road.
Lawyer Rainier Latta of the regional Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources presented the writ of Kalikasan of Mount Sto. Tomas Forest Reserve, covering five barangays in Tuba, Benguet.
The writ prohibits earth-moving activities, and bars issuance of business permits and tax declarations in the area by the local government.
This was issued by the Supreme Court in response to siltation of water sources of Baguio City and Tuba, and disturbance to the natural environment caused by construction and economic activities in the forest reserve.
The BLISTT Council expressed support to activities of the DENR to enforce the writ of kalikasan, including ongoing preparation of a long-term Mount Sto. Tomas conservation and management plan.
Wilhelmina Lagunilla of the Environmental Management Bureau of CAR (EMB-CAR) presented status of BLISTT air quality.
She bared an EMB report that indicated increase in air pollutants based on EMB-CAR instruments stationed in La Trinidad and Baguio City except in the Baguio Economic Zone in Loakan.
She said air pollutants will continue to increase resulting from resumption of normal activities post-pandemic.
The BLISTT mayors of Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay committed to pass their respective clean air ordinances, following the example of Baguio City and La Trinidad.
Citing concerns over delays in the completion of some sections of the project and the need to check the quality of finished work, the BLISTT Council agreed to join the regional project monitoring committee in a project visit of completed portions spanning 60.486 kilometers.
Dr. Jun Punzalan of Semen Cardona Filipinas presented a proposal for a BLISTT integrated food production project to help stabilize supply of pork, beef and goat meat, and prevent contamination of livestock and meat products in the BLISTT.
The proposed BLISTT-wide chain of livestock production recommended the LISTT municipalities to provide the land and undertake processing while Baguio City shall provide market and cold storage.
The mayors welcomed the proposal and asked Dr. Punzalan to consult with farmers and other stakeholders in each municipality.
On BLISTT governance, Baguio Rep. Mark Go said House Bill 9215, creating the Metropolitan BLISTT Development Authority (MBLISTTDA) was endorsed to the Office of the President on June 29. He said the BLISTT Council’s recommendation to include drafting of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) was added to the bill.
The current BLISTT set-up is institutionally challenged and lacks sufficient budget to operate effectively.
The BLISTT Council welcomed the news of Go, as the law mandates the BLISTT with capacity to implement high-impact projects and consolidate inter-local efforts to improve service delivery in the BLISTT.
The BLISTT inter-local cooperation was implemented through a memorandum of agreement on 17 January 2014.
The National Economic Development Authority Cordillera acts as the interim technical secretariat of the BLISTT governing and development councils
On BLISTT road connectivity, Philip Laberinto of regional NEDA reported its status as of March 2022 with 42.59% completed.
The P9.18-billion road project with a total length of 161.96 kilometers, aims to connect the BLISTT while skirting busy and congested roads.
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