BLISTT Development Authority formation supported in hearing

BAGUIO CITY –Sen. Richard Gordon showed his full support for Senate Bill 1692 filed by Senator Ralph Recto creating the Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Tuba, and Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA) during the public consultation on the bill on Jan. 4.

Stakeholders from civil society organizations, the academe, regional line agencies, and mayors and staff from local government units provided comments and suggestions to the proposed development authority.

Gordon said the proposed development authority is for the improvement of the quality of life of the common people.

He noted that the formation of the BLISTTDA may serve as a model for other metropolitan areas in the country.

He expressed his intention to file his own version of the bill incorporating the suggestions during the consultation.

One suggestion discussed during the consultation was the appointment of a chairman from among the mayors of member LGUs and a permanent administrator to ensure continuity in the BLISTTDA.

Another suggestion was the inclusion of Bokod, Benguet forming the “BBLISTT” due to its rich natural resources and proximity to Ifugao.

The University of the Cordilleras and the University of the Philippines Baguio also highlighted the potential of Tuba for extension of their campuses.

NEDA Undersecretary for Regional Development Adoracion Navarro noted that BLISTT-area development and investment plans in tourism, agriculture, responsible mining, education, information technology, transportation, environment, sanitation, health services, and retirement can be implemented by the proposed development authority.

BLISTT is one of two primary growth centers in the region along with Tabuk, Tanudan, Rizal, and Pinukpuk (TTRiP) in eastern Kalinga as stated in the Regional Development Plan 2017-2022.

Gordon reiterated his comments during an earlier hearing that the BLISTTDA may be the first of a multi-phase development program for the province of Benguet and possibly the whole region.

The senator previously met with members of the BLISTT council and other stakeholders last month to discuss the Senate bill. The current BLISTT Council is an ad-hoc body coordinating a BLISTT-wide program with NEDA-CAR as the secretariat. A counterpart House Bill 1554 filed by Baguio Rep. Mark Go was passed earlier in the Lower House.

The BLISTTDA is envisioned as a coordinating body with a legal identity that shall address the development concerns and resource management of the area. Concerns in the area such as traffic management, waste management, and infrastructure and road congestion, among other things will be addressed in a more coordinated manner. BLISTTDA is also planned to spur development in the municipalities by decongesting Baguio City and giving incentives to investors.

The creation of the BLISTTDA was initially proposed in the BLISTT action agenda workshop conducted on March 15, 2016. -- Marlo T. Lubguban, NEDA-SPCAR