The Senate local government committee will fine-tune a bill seeking to revise the 110-year-old charter of Baguio city after Baguio city Mayor Benjamin Magalong voiced his approval.
Senator Francis Tolentino, committee chairman, said several key government officials would help him fine-tune Senate Bill 2163 through a technical working group (TWG) process after conducting a hybrid public hearing Thursday, June 10.
Earlier, the same committee moved to fine tune the bill creating the Metro Davao Regional Authority.
Senator Imee Marcos authored the two measures in the Senate.
On the other hand, the Lower House version of the MDRA bill was authored by Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab.
Davao region or Region XI comprises five provinces: Davao del Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental.
Davao city Mayor Sara Duterte likes the measures but would send her position papers on some key issues raised during the public hearing.
The National Economic Development Authority said a Metro Davao Development Authority would strengthen the economy of the region.
Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa, a Davao resident, gave this thumbs up to the Marcos-Ungab bills.
‘’Simplify the Baguio city charter’’ so that it would go through the legislative mill without a hitch, Marcos stressed.
Marcos said her bill seeks to revise the current Baguio city charter ‘’to cater to the present needs of the city and its people.’’
The bill, among others, retains similar goals, primarily to include effective implementation of the city government’s land use development plan, settlement of the boundary dispute of the city with the municipality of Tuba, addressing the problem in the disposition of inalienable and disposal public lands with the Baguio town site reservation and the creation of more responsive taxation system and revenue-generating projects.