Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._1337

Introduced by Hon. Mark 0. Go

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and
Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA).

The City of Baguio and its nearby municipalities have so much to offer for the growth
of business, agriculture and 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.

To promote sustainable development and effective delivery of basic services in
Baguio City and its contiguous towns there is a need for the creation of the Baguio City, La
Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA), a
government entity that will be responsible for planning and implementing basic area-wide
services without diminution of the autonomy of the LGUs.

This proposed measure intends to centralize and oversee the development efforts and
initiatives which deal with the challenges and problems confronting the City of Baguio and
nearby municipalities. This aims to take Baguio City and the Municipalities of La Trinidad,
Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay to a new level of growth that would achieve development
that is sustainable, economically progressive, environmentally progressive and people
centered.

The proposed BLISTTDA will render services that have wider coverage and impact.
It will help rationalize the usage of infrastructures and thoroughfares, transport and traffic
management. In a larger scale, this proposed BLISTTDA shall perform planning,
monitoring, and coordinative functions which includes the services of development planning
and preparation of medium and long-term development plans, urban renewal, land use
planning, housing and shelter, transport and traffic management, solid waste disposal and
management, flood control and sewerage management, water resource system, health,
sanitation, and pollution control, and public safety and order.

Through BLISTTDA, the principle of synergy would be emphasized when
towns/cities 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.

The creation of the BLISTTDA offers a clear path to achieve a sustainable social and
economic growth for the interest and benefit of the people.

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1337

AN ACT CREATING THE BAGUIO CITY, LA TRINIDAD, ITOGON, SABLAN, TUBA,
AND TUBLAY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (BLISTTDA), DEFINING ITS
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
pursue the acceleration of social, economic, and political development of local government units
(LGUs) and their communities through the creation of special development and administrative
areas that will ensure the efficient and effective planning, supervision, and coordination of
essential basic services, without prejudice to the autonomy of the LGUs concerned.

SEC. 2. Creation and Mandate of the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba,
and Tublay Development Authority (BLISTTDA). ~ There is hereby created a government
instrumentality to be named as the Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay
Development Authority, hereinafter referred to as BLISTTDA, which shall administer a special
development and administrative area embracing the City of Baguio and the municipalities of La
Trinidad, ltogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay. The BLISTTDA shall be under the direct supervision
of the President of the Philippines.

‘The BLISTTDA shall serve as the platform for the acceleration of the social, economic, and
political developments in the area as a unified management unit by enabling the component
LGUs to respond to common developmental challenges through unified, effective, and
economically efficient programs and undertakings. The BLISTTDA shall perform planning,
monitoring, and coordinative functions. It shall exercise regulatory and supervisory authority over
the delivery of area-wide services within the jurisdictions of the concemed city and municipalities,
without diminution of the autonomy of the LGUs concerning purely local matters.

SEC. 3. Scope of BLISTTDA Services. — The services under the jurisdiction of the
BLISTTDA are those that will affect all or majority of the population or a wide segment of the
territory, transcending local political boundaries or entailing huge expenditures such that it would
not be viable for said services to be provided by an individual LGU. These services include:

(a) Development planning and Preparation of Medium- and Long-Term Development
Plans. — Evaluation and packaging of development projects; investments programming and
coordination; and monitoring of program and project implementation;


(b) Urban Renewal, Land Use Planning, and Housing and Shelter. — Formulation,
adoption and implementation of policies, standards, programs, and projects to rationalize and
optimize urban land use taking into consideration urban growth and expansion. These shall
address the rehabilitation and development of identified areas and the development of shelter and
housing facilities with provisions for necessary social services;

(©) Transport and Traffic Management. — Formulation, coordination, and monitoring of
policies, standards, and programs that will rationalize the existing transport operations,
infrastructure requirements, use of thoroughfares, and promotion of safe and convenient
movement of persons and goods. These shall include the administration and implementation of
traffic enforcement operations, traffic engineering services, and the institution of a single
ticketing system;

(@) Solid Waste Disposal and Management. — Formulation and implementation of policies,
programs, and projects for the proper and sanitary disposal of solid waste. It shall likewise
include the establishment and operation of sanitary landfill, waste to energy projects, eco-
composting facility (ECR) and related facilities, and the implementation of other alternative
programs intended to reduce, reuse, and recycle solid waste;

(©) Flood Control and Sewerage Management. — Formulation and implementation of
policies, standards, programs, and projects for an integrated flood control, drainage, and sewerage
system;

(f) Water Resource System. — Formulation and implementation of policies, programs, and
projects for a comprehensive water resource system which shall include the establishment of
water harvesting and distribution facility;

(@ Health, Sanitation, and Pollution Control. — Formulation and implementation of
policies, standards, and programs to safeguard public health and maintain sanitation. It shall
ensure the promotion of ecological balance and the prevention and control of environmental
pollution;

(h) Public Safety and Order. ~ Formulation and implementation of programs, policies, and
procedures to maintain public safety, including preparedness for preventive or rescue operations
during times of calamities and disasters. It shall include the implementation of contingency plans,
and mobilization of resources for relief operations in coordination with national agencies
‘concerned; and

(i) Tourism —- Formulation and implementation of policies, programs, and projects for the
promotion of tourism in the entire BLISTT area.

SEC. 4. BLISTTDA Council. — There shall be a Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan,
Tuba, and Tublay (BLISTT) Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, which shall serve as
the governing board and policy-making body of BLISTTDA. The Council shall be composed of
the Governor of the Province of Benguet, the congressional representatives of Baguio and
Benguet, and the mayors of the City of Baguio and the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon,
Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay.

The duly authorized 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), Housing and Urban
Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), 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), Philippine National Police (PNP) and two
(2) representatives of the private sector, who shall be appointed by the Council, shall attend
meetings of the Council as non-voting members.


In addition to the regular members, there shall be a Chairman, to be appointed by the
President of the Philippines from a list of nominees submitted by the Council, and shall continue
to hold office at the discretion of the appointing authority. The Chairman shall be vested with
rank, rights, privileges, disqualifications, and prohibitions of a cabinet member.

The Chairman shall act as the Chief Executive Officer of the BLISTTDA.

The Chairman and members of the Council are entitled to allowances and per diems in
accordance with existing policies, rules, and regulations on the matter.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the BLISTTDA. — The BLISTTDA shall exercise the
following powers and functions:

(a) Formulate, coordinate, and regulate the implementation of medium- and long-term
plans and programs for the delivery of services, land use, and physical development within
BLISTT, consistent with national development objectives and priorities. The medium-term
investment programs for BLISTT-wide services shall indicate sources and allocation of funds for
priority programs and projects;

(b) Undertake and manage its programs and projects for the delivery of specific services
under its jurisdiction, subject to the approval of the Council. For this purpose, the BLISTTDA
shall create appropriate project management offices;

(©) Coordinate and monitor the implementation of such plans, programs, and projects in the
City of Baguio and component municipalities; identify bottlenecks and adopt solutions to
problems of implementation;

(@) Set policies concerning traffic and coordinate and regulate the implementation of all
programs and projects concerning traffic management. It may seek assistance and cooperation,
including assignment of personnel, from other government agencies concerned if necessary.
Install and administer a single ticketing system, fix, impose, and collect fines and penalties for all
kinds of violations of traffic rules and regulations. The BLISTTDA shall enforce all traffic laws
and regulations in the BLISTT through its Traffic Operation Center;

(©) Enter into contract and own properties; receive funding, payments, grants, contributions
and donations; and sue and be sued in order to carry out its duties and functions as provided for in
this Act; and

(®) Perform other related functions required to achieve the objectives of the BLISTTDA,
including the undertaking of delivery of basic services to the LGUs when deemed necessary
subject to prior coordination with and consent of the LGU concerned.

SEC. 6. Functions of the BLISTTDA Council. — The Council shall perform the
following functions:

(a) Exercise the policy-making power of the BLISTTDA;

(b) Approve plans, programs, and projects and issue rules and regulations deemed
necessary by the BLISTTDA to carry out the purposes of this Act;

(©) Fix the compensation of the officers and personnel of the BLISTTDA in accordance
with the Salary Standardization Law and approve the annual budget thereof for submission to the
DBM;

(@) Recommend investment programming for its plans and programs, as well as supervise
the implementation of plans and programs which includes the formulation and coordination of its
related activities;

(@) Set policies and standards, and promulgate rules and regulations governing the delivery
of basic services;

(® Endorse the annual as well as the supplemental budgets of the BLISSTDA; and



(g) Perform such other acts and assume such other functions as may be necessary to carry
out the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Functions of the BLISTTDA Chairman. ~The BLISTTDA Chairman shall:

(a) Appoint, subject to civil service laws, rules and regulations, all subordinate officers and
employees, who shall enjoy security of tenure and may be removed only for cause in accordance
with law. The Chairman is hereby authorized to engage the services of experts or consultants
either on full-time or part-time basis, as may be required in the performance of the Chairman’s
duties and functions;

(b) Execute the policies and measures approved by the Council and be responsible for the
efficient and effective day-to-day management of the operations of the BLISTTDA and exercise
the
power to discipline subordinate officials and employees under the provisions of law;

(©) Subject to the guidelines and policies set by the Council, prepare and submit to the
Council, for its approval, the organizational structure and the staffing pattern, and fix the number
of subordinate officials and employees of the BLISTTDA;

(@) Prepare the annual budget for the operations of the BLISTTDA for submission to the
Council;

(@) Prepare an annual report on the accomplishments of the BLISTTDA for submission to
the Council and to the President of the Philippines; and

(®) Perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President of the Philippines
or by the Council.

SEC. 8, The General Manager and Senior Managers. — The Chairman shall be assisted
by a General Manager, a Senior Manager for Planning, and a Senior Manager for Finance and
Administration, all of whom are appointees of the President of the Philippines, subject to civil
service laws, rules and regulations. They shall enjoy security of tenure unless removed for cause
in accordance with law.

‘The General Manager shall exercise the powers of a Senior Manager for Operations with
the following functions:

(a) Assist the Chairman in the administration of the BLISTTDA and supervision of
subordinate personnel;
(b) Assist the Chairman in the supervision of operation centers and units of the

ist the Chairman in the review of plans and programs for the BLISTTDA and the
LGUs, and in the preparation of the annual report of the activities and accomplishments of the
BLISTTDA; and

(@) Perform such other duties and functions as may be lawfully delegated or assigned by
the Chairman from time to time.

The Senior Manager for Planning shall possess not less than five (5) years extensive
experience in development and planning or a Master’s degree in Urban Planning or related
discipline.

SEC. 9. Institutional Linkages. ~ The BLISTTDA shall, in carrying out its functions,
consult, coordinate, and work closely with the LGUs, NEDA, and other national government
agencies mentioned in Section 4 hereof, and accredited people’s organizations, nongovernmental
‘organizations, and the private sector operating in the component city and municipalities. The
Chairman or the authorized representative from among the Council members shall be ex officio
members of the boards of government corporations and committees of the departments of
government whose activities are relevant to the objectives and responsibilities of the BLISTTDA.


The BLISTTDA shall formulate a master plan to serve as the framework for the local
development plans of the component LGUs. The BLISTTDA shall submit its development plans
and investments programs to the NEDA for integration into the Medium-Term Philippine
Development Plan (MTPDP) and public investment program.

The BLISTTDA shall, in coordination with the NEDA and the Department of Finance
(DOF), interface with foreign assistance agencies for purposes of obtaining financial support,
grants, and donations in support of its programs and projects.

SEC. 10. Sources of Funds and the Operating Budget of the BLISTTDA. —

(a) The amount necessary for the operating budget of the BLISTTDA shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act.

(b) The BLISTTDA is empowered to levy fines and impose fees and charges for various
services rendered.

(©) The operations of the BLISTTDA shall likewise be supported through financial
contributions or technical assistance from member LGUs, nongovernment agencies (NGAs) and
government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and the private sector, and other local
and international organizations in the form of grants, donations, contributions, payments,
penalties, fees, and charges.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue
to remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or
parts or provisions thereof which are not consistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,