BLISTTDA bigger than Baguio, Go clarifies

BAGUIO Mark Go assured development for neighbors of the Summer Capital.

Go said under the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA), not one area will be sole receivers of its promised merits, stressing it will be an approach to holistic development.

Go said as far as he is concerned, there was no opposition on the measure but amendments to improve it.

Last week, the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises headed by Senator Dick Gordon held a public hearing to tackle House Bill No. 6974 and Senate Bill No. 1692, which creates BLISTTDA.

Go said the creative economies of the areas will be highlighted as well and said two universities have bared intentions to expand to the BLISTT areas in the future, citing the University of the Cordilleras and the University of the Philippines.

The solon added plans the Senate Bill will be passed on 2nd

reading, with all the inputs of the public hearing to be placed.

“This will bring a bigger level of growth and development, more sustainable economically and holistic, it is bringing (all) together,” said Go.

Go said he is anticipating the passage of the bill by the first week of February adding previous meetings with BLISTT mayors yielded positive support and said it was only Baguio Mayor Mauricio Do- mogan who raised concerns.

“This is not just for Baguio, it will be spread out in terms of tourism, facilities and opportunities, not like the present situation,” added Go.

Domogan, who heads the BLISTT Development Council said major amendments to the Go Bill include the creation of a governing council which includes representatives from each area who will be vote among themselves a chairman, rejecting the original idea the head of the body will be appointed by the President.

Domogan in a statement said there are a lot of provisions on the bill that the different mayors, local government of BLISTT, do not agree with.

Go still believes the move will set into place development in Baguio and the neighboring towns as the BLISTTDA will exercise management, regulatory and supervisory authority and will include services of development planning, urban renewal, land use planning, housing and shelter formulation, transport and traffic management, solid waste disposal and management, flood control and sewerage management, water resource system, health and sanitation, pollution control and public safety and order.