THE proposal requiring local government units (LGUs) to contribute five percent of their internal revenue allotment (IRA) shares to the Baguio-La Trinidad- Itogon- Sablan-Tuba-Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA) fund was dropped after La Trinidad expressed its objection.
Laurence Adube, assistant to Representative Marquez Go, said the lawmaker deleted this provision from his proposed bill.
House Bill 6974 seeks to establish the BLISTTDA, which will manage, regulate and supervise the development of Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay.
"The five percent share supposedly to be covered by the member municipalities and the city of Baguio will be covered by the Department of Budget and Management, " said Adube.
He said the House of Representatives has approved the bill on third and final reading and transmitted this to the Senate.
La Trinidad had requested for the removal of the requirement.
Vice Mayor Joey Marrero, for his part, pushed for the inclusion of an Indigenous Peoples representative to BLISTTDA.
Once enacted into law, the BLISTT Development Authority will be responsible for planning and implementing basic area-wide services without diminution of the autonomy of the LGUs.