BENGUET’S IRR FOR ITS LOCAL ‘MMDA’ IN THE WORKS

BAGUIO CITY: Crafting of the rules to implement Republic Act 11932 or “An Act Creating the Metropolitan Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay Development Authority (MBLISTTDA),” has commenced. The technical working group (TWG) led by Vice Gov. Ericson Felipe created to uphold the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) held its first meeting on August 31. The TWG is composed of all the vice mayors and legal officers of the member local government units who were tasked by Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas, chairman and co-chairman of the MBLISTTDA, respectively, to spearhead the formulation of the MBLISTTDA IRR. Also present during the meeting were councilors who will lead the LGUs’ council committee on laws, lawyer John Ray Libiran representing Congressman Marquez Go, Vittorio Jerico Cawis representing Magalong, and officials from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), which serves as secretariat, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Magalong said they hope to come up with the draft IRR by October. The mayor said that as MBLISTTDA chairman, he will push for collaborative endeavors on urgent concerns affecting the BLISTT such as waste, traffic, and disaster management. MBLISTTDA is envisioned to “lead and oversee area development planning and implementation of projects towards coordinated management of public order and safety, health, solid waste and sanitation, tourism, and traffic and transport. It will also coordinate closely with the Department of Finance and the NEDA on grants, support, foreign assistance, and other programs.”