The 1992 BLIST Organizational Milestones and the Newly Reconstituted BLISTT

(This is BLISTT Part II, transposed from a powerpoint presentation by NEDA-CAR Direcor John Ngalob)

A.Highlights of Accomplishments
 LGU adoption / endorsement and distribution of the plan
• All component LGUs endorsed the Plan except for Tuba. However, Tuba has now embraced the concept with its overwhelming support to the BLIST University Town Development project
 Coordination of the BLIST Planning Area
• Organization of the BLIST Mayors Forum tasked to “coordinate the planning, implementation and monitoring of development activities in the BLIST area especially projects and activities that transcended political boundaries”
• This was not sustained in view of other priority concerns by the component LGUs
 BLIST Land Delivery Committee
• The objective of the Committee was implement one of the strategies of the BLIST Master Plan which was to find an appropriate area for socialized housing within the BLIST
• An initial list of areas possible for socialized housing development was generated
• This was not sustained in view of the lack of funds and new priorities of housing agencies

B. Status of Project Implementation
 Western Link Road (Pico-Lamtang Road)
 BLIST Circumferential Road – this ongoing project connects Baguio with La Trinidad and Tuba through several links
 BLIST Water Resources Study – also known as the “Southern Benguet Water Supply
Study.” This was submitted to the ICC and is awaiting funding preferably through ODA
 Water Distribution and Leakage Study – this aims to reduce water loses in Baguio’s distribution system. This project is partly achieved through the completion of the Aus-Aid-funded BWD Project.
 Flood Mitigation and Drainage Works – projects include the improvement of the City Camp Lagoon drainage system as well as La Trinidad drainage system funded from local funds
 Other minor projects include
• Baguio City Center Streetscaping
• Baguio Cathedral Retaining Wall
• BLIST University Town Project

C. Lessons learned from the BLIST
 Weak governing structure
 Absence of a BLIST champion to vigorously push it
 Funding constraints
 Lack of clear support from LIST Municipalities as benefits to be derived with the Plan implementation is vague

D. Rational for Reconstituting the BLISTT (Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba & Tublay)

 Uncontrolled urban expansion of Baguio and La Trinidad towards adjoining towns due to rapid population growth -- possible adverse impact to ISTT’s resources if left without appropriate intervention

 WB’s recommended urban development strategy on “inclusive development” which is
to deliberately spur socio-economic development from the urban core to its environs and other outlying areas close to the city center
 RPFP’s (2004-2034) development strategy for the BLIST to be developed as center for regional administration, regional shopping, trading and banking, professional services, higher education, rest and recreation and specialized industries.

E. Objectives of the BLISTT
 Formulate a BLISTT Strategic Development Framework
 Serve as a discussion venue for inter-local cooperation
 Serve as mechanism for resource mobilization for the development of the area

F. Organizational Milestones of the Newly Reconstituted BLISTT

January 31, 2009
• BLISTT LGUs (except for Sablan) agreed to reconstitute the BLISTT
• BLISTT Mayors’ Forum membership firmed-up (BLISTT LGUs, NEDA-CAR, Benguet
Governor, Baguio Congressman and Baguio Centennial Commission)
• BLISTT TWG reconstituted. NEDA-CAR assigned as TWG head and technical secretariat
• Agreed on participatory cost-sharing to defray funding requirements for the formulation of the BLISTT Master Plan

Mar 14, 2009 (La Trinidad)
• Draft MOU and WFP for the formulation of the 30-Year BLISTT Strategic Development Framework reviewed
• 30-Year BLISTT Strategic Development Framework to cover not only the urban BLISTT but also its rural areas
• Retention of Sablan as member in the forum
• BLISTT Mayors to seek endorsement from their respective SPs to facilitate MOU signing

April 24, 2009 (Tublay)
• MOU and WFP approved subject to further refinements
• Approval of a Resolution addressed to Baguio for the release of PhP 500,000 to fund the Forum’s initial operations

June 5, 2009 (Tuba)
• MOU signed by the BLISTT LGUS except for Sablan
• Approval of the following resolutions:
- Designation of NEDA-CAR as the Fund Manager of the Forum and Authorizing it to open a Bank Account for and on Behalf of the Forum
• Instructing the immediate implementation of the WFP for the Formulation of the BLISTT Strategic Development Framework and Raising the Amount of PhP 2 M to cover Plan’s Formulation, Promulgation and Execution with contributions from the following:
- City of Baguio: PhP 500 Th
- Baguio Congressman Office: PhP 500 Th
- Province of Benguet: PhP 500 Th
- LISTT Municipalities: PhP 500 Th
• A bank account has recently been opened (c/o NEDA-CAR), and is awaiting contributions from the Forum Members

G. Major Activities for 2010
 Follow-up financial contributions from the BLISTT LGUs
 Formulate the 30-Year BLISTT Strategic Development Framework
 Legitimize and execute of the Plan