Bill creating BLISTTDA passes committee on appropriations

THE funding provisions of House Bill 1554, seeking for the creation of Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sublan, Tuba and Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA), gained the approval of the House Committee on Appropriations chaired by Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles on October 11.
The measure, principally authored by Baguio City Representative Mark Go, aims to centralize and oversee the development efforts and initiatives that deal with the challenges and problems confronting the city of Baguio and nearby municipalities.
According to Go, problems in the environment, tourism, traffic, water supply, waste management, migration, housing, and the provision of basic services in these places have become more evident as time goes by.
“The influx of tourists and the increase in the number of vehicles, without the corresponding expansion of roads, as a result, cause daily traffic gridlock. The economic and social affairs of Baguio City and nearby municipalities are now more challenging” Go stressed.
Among others, the proposed 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,” the solon said.
Chairman 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 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. PR / ABN

Amianan Balita Ngayon