BLISTTDA bats for 1Billion
THE Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay Development Authority [BLISTTDA] is on its way to its second and third reading, batting for a P1 billion appropriation come 2019.
BAGUIO City Representative Mark Go said the House Committee on Appropriations chaired by Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles approved the funding provisions of HB 1554 seeking the creation of BLISTTDA.
Go said when the HB hurdles its remaining deliberations it will passed on to the Senate for approval and then to the Office of the President.
“We are talking now with the Senate and we are hopeful that we will get their approval.”
The HB intends to centralize and oversee the development efforts and initiatives which deal with the challenges and problems confronting the city of Baguio and nearby municipalities.
Go said there have been initial talks with the chief executives from the BLISTT forming an executive committee in preparation for the approval of the HB.
Go said when the HB has been approved by the President an administrator will be appointed as well as three deputy chairs to be in charge of planning, administration and finance.
The Go measure will render services that have wider coverage and impact. It will help rationalize the usage of infrastructures and thoroughfares, transport and traffic management.
“The proposed BLISTT Development Authority will also provide engineered sanitary landfill and treatment facility for solid wastes. Programs and policies will also be adopted to address public safety, preparedness and preemptive measures and rescue operations in coordination with national agencies in times of calamities and disasters.”
Nograles introduced some amendments in the provisions of the proposed bill which comprises of the inclusion of its operating budget in the annual General Appropriations Acts as well as the compensation of the officers and personnel of the BLISTTDA to be in accordance with the Salary Standardization Law.
The said house bill will go back to its mother committee for the approval of the committee report and will be scheduled for plenary deliberations on second reading.