BAGUIO Representative Mark Go said amendments to the Baguio – La Trinidad – Itogon - Sablan – Tuba – Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA) bill is up for public consultation on August.
Go announced the BLISTT Senate version was not approved in the 17th Congress when it adjourned June 5 but was quick to add “my plan is to refile the BLISTTDA bill in the House of Representatives with amendments in the next congress which will commence in July.”
Go said public consultations and hearings will be scheduled in August or September.
The re-elected solon said there are two important amendments he would like to introduce to the BLISTTDA which includes the chairman of the council will be appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the council and the addition of two representatives in the council.
Go believes the bill 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.
At the start of the 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.
During the May campaign, the BLISTTDA was used as black propaganda against Go saying the bill will spur the relocation of communities in Quirino Hill and Pinget.
Go was quick to quash rumors and eventually won his bid for a second term in congress beating incumbent Mayor Mauricio Domogan.