Revision Of City Charter Gets Backing Of Speaker by Harley F. Palangchao Baguio is one step closer to having a new charter with House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. acknowledging the importance of revising the city’s more than a century old charter. Belmonte, who was represented by his son, Quezon City District VI representative Christopher Belmonte as the guest of honor and speaker on the 105th Baguio Day celebration on Sept. 1, said a new charter is necessary so the city could adapt with the changing times. “We are happy to announce that we are a step closer in allowing Baguio City to compete with other urban centers with the approval in the third and final reading of House Bill 4772, entitled an Act Revising the Charter of Baguio City,” Belmonte said in his speech read by his son. Belmonte expressed hope that the new bill contained the necessary revisions so that the Senate can also pass its counterpart bill. The first bill was vetoed by President Benigno Aquino III two years ago. HB 4772 authored by Baguio Rep. Nicasio Aliping Jr. and co-authored by the House Speaker was passed on third and final reading before the Lower House Committee on Local Government. HB 4772 aims to settle boundary issues between the city and nearby town of Tuba, Benguet, improve the system of townsite sales or address the problem in the disposition of alienable and disposable public lands within the Baguio townsite reservation, and effectively implement the city’s land use development plan. Under the new bill, Baguio will remain to be a townsite reservation. Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the ancestral land claims of the original Igorot settlers in the city will continue to be recognized. Reports said the townsite sales provision introduced by the Americans in the 1909 Charter greatly helped in preserving the city that was originally designed for 20,000 people. The city now has close to 320,000 population. From the Lower House, the bill will be transmitted to the Senate Committee on Local Government for further study. Once the bicameral committee approves the measure, this will be forwarded to the Office of the President for approval. Belmonte, who is also considered a Baguio boy having stayed at Quezon Hill in his younger years, expressed hope the proposed city charter will be valuable in maintaining Baguio vibrant with benefits accorded to the common interest of the city and its people. The House Speaker also said Baguio should be responsive to the demands of time. “As a growing urban center, Baguio should not be left behind in the great shift from a fast phase to a globalized development,” Belmonte said. “As the city counts fruitful years ahead, we the people should also grow with her. Let us indulge with her with care and compassion so that she will continue withstand all the challenges and trials that come her way,” he added.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 07:17:56 +0000
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