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

Eighteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-sixth day of July, two thousand twenty one.

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11932, July 30, 2022 ]

AN ACT CREATING THE METROPOLITAN BAGUIO CITY, LA TRINIDAD, ITOGON, SABLAN, TUBA, AND TUBLAY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MBLISTTDA), 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.

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

The MBLISTTDA 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 MBLISTTDA 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 concerned city and municipalities without diminution of the autonomy of the LGUs concerning purely local matters.

Section 3. Scope of MBLISTTDA Services. — The MBLISTTDA shall provide services that shall take into consideration the needs of the population within the territory of the LGUs concerned. These services shall include the following:

Section 4.  MBLISTTDA Council. — There shall be a Metropolitan Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay (MBLISTT) Council, hereinafter referred to as the Council, which shall serve as the governing board and policy-making body of MBLISTTDA. The Council shall be composed of the Governor of the Province of Benguet and the Mayors of the City of Baguio and the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay, as ex officio voting members.

The Council shall be composed of the following ex officio non-voting members: (a) the Vice Mayors of Metropolitan Baguio City and the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay; (b) 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), Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), 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 (c) two (2) representatives from the private sector to be appointed by the Council.

The Council shall be headed by a Chairman who shall (a) be elected from among the regular members; and (b) preside over the meetings of the Council.

In addition to the council members, there shall be an Administrator who shall (a) be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of nominees submitted by the Council; (b) serve for a term of six (6) years; (c) continue to hold office at the discretion of the appointing authority; (d) be vested with the rank, rights, privileges, disqualifications, and prohibitions of an Assistant Secretary; and (e) act as the Chief Executive Officer of the MBLISTTDA.

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

Section 5. Powers and Functions of the MBLISTTDA. — The MBLISTTDA shall exercise the following powers and functions:

Section 6. Functions of the MBLISTTDA Council. — The Council shall perform the following functions:

Section 7. Functions of the MBLISTTDA Administrator. — The MBLISTTDA Administrator shall:

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

Section 9. Institutional Linkages. — The MBLISTTDA shall, in carrying out its functions, consult, coordinate, and work closely with the public and private institutions, accredited people's organizations and nongovernmental organizations operating in the MBLISTT area.

The MBLISTTDA shall formulate a master plan to serve as the framework for the development of the MBLISTT area. It shall submit its development plans and investment programs to the NEDA for integration into the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and Public Investment Program.

The MBLISTTDA 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.

Section 10. Sources of Funds and the Operating Budget of the MBLISTTDA. —

In case of grants, in-cash or in-kind, from foreign governments or their agencies and instrumentalities, or multilateral institutions or organizations, acceptance thereof shall be subject to prior clearance and approval of the Council and the President of the Philippines or the authorized representative, based on the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance. In case of donations, in-cash or in-kind, from foreign governments, acceptance thereof shall require prior clearance and approval by the Council and the President of the Philippines, or the authorized representative based on the recommendation of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Section 11. Inclusion in the MBLISTTDA. — Adjoining LGUs that opt to be included in the MBLISTTDA shall be allowed: Provided, That a Sanggunian Resolution for the purpose has been passed and duly approved: Provided, further, That there shall be a concurrence from the MBLISTTDA Council.

Section 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the MBLISTT Council shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.

Section 13. 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.

Section 14. 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.

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

Approved,

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines on May 31, 2022.

Approved: Lapsed into law on JUL 30 2022 without the signature of the President, in accordance with Article VI Section 27 (1) of the Constitution.

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
President of the Philippines

A. The Senior Manager for Operations shall have the following functions:

B. 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, and shall have the following functions:

C. The Senior Manager for Finance and Administration shall perform the following functions: