QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11932)
The Act declares the policy of accelerating social, economic, and political development of LGUs and their communities through special development and administrative areas that ensure efficient and effective planning, supervision, and coordination of essential basic services, without prejudice to LGU autonomy.
RA 11932 created the Metropolitan Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay Development Authority (MBLISTTDA). It administers a special development and administrative area embracing the City of Baguio and the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay.
The MBLISTTDA is under the administrative supervision of the Office of the President of the Philippines.
It serves as a platform to accelerate development in the area by enabling component LGUs to respond to common developmental challenges through unified, effective, and economically efficient programs and undertakings.
It performs planning, monitoring, and coordinative functions, including facilitating unified delivery of area-wide services and coordinating implementation among component LGUs.
The services include: (a) development planning and medium- to long-term development plans; (b) urban renewal, land use planning, and housing and shelter; (c) transport and traffic management (including single ticketing system); (d) solid waste disposal and management; (e) flood control and sewerage management; (f) water resource management; (g) health, sanitation, and pollution control; (h) public safety and order; and (i) tourism.
The Council includes: (1) ex officio voting members—the Governor of Benguet and the Mayors of Baguio City and the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay; (2) ex officio non-voting members—vice mayors, duly authorized representatives of specified national agencies, and (3) two (2) private sector representatives appointed by the Council.
The Council is headed by a Chairman elected from among the regular members who also presides over Council meetings.
The Administrator acts as Chief Executive Officer of the MBLISTTDA. The President appoints the Administrator from a list of nominees submitted by the Council. The Administrator serves a term of six (6) years and has the rank, rights, privileges, disqualifications, and prohibitions of an Assistant Secretary.
It exercises regulatory and supervisory authority over the delivery of area-wide services within the jurisdictions of the concerned city and municipalities, without diminution of LGU autonomy concerning purely local matters.
It sets policies concerning traffic and coordinates/regulates traffic-related programs. It may enforce traffic laws in the MBLISTT area through its Traffic Operation Center, install and administer a single ticketing system, and fix, impose, and collect fines and penalties for violations of traffic rules and regulations.
The Council: (a) exercises policy-making power; (b) approves plans, programs, and projects and issues needed rules and regulations; (c) fixes compensation of officers/personnel (per Salary Standardization Law) and approves annual budget for DBM submission; (d) recommends investment programming and supervises implementation; (e) sets policies/standards and promulgates rules governing service delivery; (f) endorses annual and supplemental budgets; and (g) performs other necessary acts.
The Administrator executes Council policies, manages day-to-day operations, appoints subordinate officers/employees subject to civil service laws, prepares the annual budget and annual report, exercises disciplinary authority as provided by law, and performs other duties assigned by the President or Council.
The Act requires not less than five (5) years of extensive experience in development and planning OR a master’s degree in Urban Planning or a related discipline.
The operating budget is included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The Authority may levy fines and impose fees/charges. It may also receive LGU and other contributions/technical assistance, including grants, donations, and payments, among others—subject to required clearances for foreign-funded grants/donations.
Adjoining LGUs may opt to be included if a Sanggunian Resolution is passed and approved, and there is concurrence from the MBLISTTDA Council.
Within ninety (90) days from the approval of the Act, the MBLISTT Council must promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for implementation.