MBLISTT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NOW A LAW

August 8, 2022 Metro BLISTT

The bill that seeks to create the Metropolitan Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay
Development Authority (MBLISTTDA) is now a law. Republic Act (RA) 11932 lapsed into law on July 30,
creating MBLISTTDA as a government entity with corporate powers that will be responsible for planning and
implementing basic area-wide services without diminishing the LGUs’ autonomy on local matters.

Under RA 11932, Baguio City and the neighboring towns of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay will be assigned as a special development and administrative area. The MBLISTTDA will be placed under the administrative
supervision of the Office of the President of the Philippines.

Baguio City representative and principal author Mark Go said the establishment of MBLISTTDA will foster
sustainable development in Baguio and the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay and will
promote efficient delivery of basic services.

“The city of Baguio and the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay have so much to
offer for the growth of business, agriculture an tourism. With the passage of time, however, the problems of the environment, tourism, traffic, water supply, waste management and the provision of basic services have become
more evident”, Rep. Go said.

MBLISTTDA will be tasked to centralize and oversee development efforts and initiatives that address the challenges within the area. Aside from planning the usage of infrastructure, transport and traffic management, MBLISTTDA
shall perform medium and long term development responsibilities. These include urban renewal, land use planning, housing and shelter; solid waste disposal and management; flood control and sewerage management, water resource management system; health, sanitation, and pollution control; public safety and order; and tourism.

The MBLISTTDA Council will govern and create policies for the area, composed of the Benguet governor, and the
mayors of Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay as ex-officio voting
members.

Meanwhile, ex-officio nonvoting members comprise the vice mayors of the aforementioned city and municipalities, two private sector members selected by the council, and representatives of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Transportation (DOTR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),
Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD),
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of
Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Philippine National Police (PNP)

A chairman will be elected from the regular members and will head the council, while an administrator will be appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted by the council, with a term of six years.

According to the Baguio solon, the passage of MBLISTTDA will take Baguio City and the towns of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay to a new level of growth that would achieve sustainable social and economic growth for the interest and benefit of the people. “Through MBLISTTDA, the principle of synergy would be emphasized when towns in a contiguous area could achieve more by planning and implementing together.

This is the convergence of the cities and municipalities for a common purpose, complimentary support with each other, cooperation by sharing its resources and active collaboration”, Rep. Go stated. “Through the years, we
have been experiencing issues and concerns related to urban development, resource management, health, and the
environment. With the establishment of MBLISTTDA, we will all be able to tackle these issues collectively, planning and addressing them in a holistic and inclusive manner. With unity, we will be able to plan, strategize, and work together for the betterment of our locales,” he added.