Baguio congressman reelectionist guarantees no demolition with BLISTTDA

May 20, 2019 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY – Re-lectionist Marquez “Mark” O. Go, who prevailed in a landslide victory over seasoned politician and incumbent Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan in the Baguio lone district congressional race, assured no demolition will happen in case house bill 1554 (substituted by HB 6974) will be enacted into law.
Go is the principal author of the bill creating the Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA) which has been approved on third and final reading in the House of Representatives and pending on Second Reading in the Senate.
In a brief media interview with the congressman before his proclamation late night on Monday, Go said there is no need to worry about demolition issues because what the Senate only wants is a separate bill, not demolition.
“Walang dapat ikatakot ang ating mga kababayan. Yung sinasabi nila na madedemolish sila, hindi mangyayari yun,” Go said. (There is nothing that our people should worry about. The rumor that they will be demolished is not going to happen).
Go added that he will make sure the provisions not in consonance with the situation of Baguio as well as with the approved house bill will not be included in the final version both of the house and of the senate.
“Kung meron mang provision na hindi angkop sa kundisyon natin dito sa lungsod ng Baguio, saka yung mga provision na hindi umaayon doon sa original bill natin na na-aprubahan sa house bill, sisiguraduhin natin na hindi ma-include doon sa final version, both ng house at ng senate,” Go said.
Go also said people will expect him to be more zealous in his job as the city’s congressional representative. He said he will keep an eye on the ending bills pending in the senate with hopes of its approval before the 17th Congress ends.
He also said there are more bills that he intends to present on the next congress. “Ang focus natin ngayon ay ang ating mga ending bills na nasa senado, about nine (9) ang tututukan natin ngayong session that will be on Monday, May 20 until June 6,” Go said.
On his facebook page on social media, the congressman has highlighted that “the real and noble intent of BLISTTDA should not be offered as sacrificial lamb and succumb to the political interests of the few including my own, planning and protecting our future is more important.
Growing pressures on our towns and cities from increasing population, environmental destruction, lack of planning, changing climate and all the related problems we are facing now should be planned and addressed together and in unity with the surrounding towns.”
Go was proclaimed winner in the congressional race on a ceremonial proclamation with two other Baguio top political post winners at the PFVR Gymnasium a few minutes before midnight on Monday when about 95% of the votes were canvassed.
Proclaimed mayor is retired PNP General Benjamin B. Magalong and proclaimed vice mayor is incumbent Councilor Faustino A. Olowan.
“The election is over. I think we need to work together in ensuring that we can make things happen for our city of Baguio,” Go said, when asked about what he can say of his congressional race rivals.
The congressman also said he sees no problem working with the incoming mayor and the incoming vice mayor, especially with Olowan who is a part of his party.
“I can work with anybody. I can sit down with incoming mayor Magalong as well as with incoming vice mayor Olowan to really help in trying to address the critical problems confronting our city,” Go said.

MerriamJSdelRosario/ABN