Crafting of Metro BLISTT dev’t authority on
The crafting of the rules to implement Republic Act 11932 or “An Act Creating the Metropolitan Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay Development Authority (MBLISTTDA)…” has commenced.
The Technical Working Group created to draw up the IRR and chaired by Vice Governor Ericson Felipe held its first meeting last August 31.
The TWG is composed of all the vice mayors and legal officers of the member local government units who were tasked by Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, chair and co-chair of the MBLISTTDA respectively, to spearhead the formulation of the MBLISTTDA IRR.
Also present during the meeting were councilors who chair the LGUs’ council committee on laws, lawyer John Ray Libiran representing Cong. Marquez Go, Vittorio Jerico Cawis representing Chair Mayor Benjie Magalong and officials from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) which serves as secretariat and the Dept. of Interior and Local Government.
The TWG was formed by the BLISTT Governing and Policy-Making Board, composed of local chief executives of local government units and officials of concerned government agencies.
The board also elected Magalong and Diclas as chairs of the MBLISTTDA.
Magalong said they hope to come up with the draft IRR by October.
He said that as MBLISTTDA chair, he will push for collaborative endeavors on urgent concerns affecting the BLISTT such as waste, traffic and disaster management as well as on the economic aspect.
MBLISTTDA is envisioned to “lead and oversee area development planning and implementation of projects towards coordinated management of public order and safety, health, solid waste and sanitation, tourism, and traffic and transport. It will also coordinate closely with the Department of Finance and the NEDA on grants, support, foreign assistance and other programs.” – Aileen Refuerzo/Volts Gabrillo