BAGUIO Representative Mark Go assures consultations for the two versions of the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA) with local stakeholders getting the final say.
“Since there are two different versions of the BLISTTDA bill, that of the House and the Senate, a bicameral conference committee will be conducted to reconcile the two versions. Before the holding of Bicam meeting, I call for a consultation meetings with the provincial officials of Benguet and concerned IP groups to clarify and resolve all issues and concerns,” Go said.
Go said the Bicameral meeting is set in the first weeks of June.
Last week, Benguet lawmakers filed a resolution opposing the Senate Bill 2169 that seeks to create the BLISTTDA decrying a lack of genuine consultation conducted to the different Indigenous Peoples (IPs), Indigenous Cultural Communities in the province depriving the people of their right to be informed of any government actions, programs or policy.
“After said consultation, we will discuss all inputs from these sectors with the members of the House contingent prior to the Bicameral to firm up our position on certain issues. This will be done before we will meet with our Senate counterpart in the Bicameral," Go added.
Earlier this year, a Senate hearing led by Senator Dick Gordon convened in the city which tackled House Bill No. 6974 and Senate Bill No. 1692.
The Senate Bill 1692 was introduced by Senator Ralph Rector and with Gordon spearheading the public hearing for the creation of a body to develop Baguio City and its neighboring municipalities in Benguet.
Go also quashed speculation the BLISTTDA will spur the relocation of communities in Quirino Hill and Pinget.
“That is not the intention of the bill, we will not allow that to happen, there will be no demolitions and no relocations to happen,” Go qualified.
Go said there is no provision in the proposed BLISTTDA which indicate any demolition nor community relocation.
The solon, seeking another term in Congress, said issue will also be raised in the Bicameral meeting to appease fear of stakeholders and to set into place fine points of the Bill.