NEDA presents devt plan for Metropolitanization of CdeO
PLANS for the development of Cagayan de Oro as a metropolis by 2025 is being supported and pursued by the 18th City Council headed by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy.
The committee on planning and development chaired by Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya on Wednesday heard the presentation of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Leon Dacanay, Jr. on the background, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) National and Regional Spatial Strategy; Population Trends and Land Use Changes and Functional Roles of the city and surrounding local government units as well as development issues and challenges in line with the plan.
Engr. Dacanay stressed that planning is necessary, as urbanization is fast taking place.
He said there would be a need for a series of meetings and consultations with neighboring cities and municipalities to firm up the Metro CDO Structure, its working committees and composition, funding and technical and administrative arrangements, among others.
“If there are no plans, it will become a disaster,” he stressed.
He said the city and national governments should pull their acts together and think about concepts and plans to come up with the Metro CDO Plan.
He cited that the city can initiate an advocacy program and hold dialogues with other LGUs to entice them to be part of the metro system.
According to the NEDA official, this will start with joint meetings and eventually the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by and between cities and municipalities.
DEVELOPMENT
Based on the plan, priority areas for the development of Metro CdeO include Land Use and the Master Plan Study, Efficient Mass Transport System; Solidwaste Management; Septage and Sewerage Systems; Establishment of Disaster and Response, and Traffic Monitoring Office and walkable city, parks and open space towards sustainable environment.
According to the NEDA official, priority programs include the Cagayan de Oro City Urban Drainage System, conduct of urban transport system master plan for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, the Laguindingan Seaport Development Project as well as the establishment of a regional development center in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, among others.
Councilor Nacaya thanked Director Dacanay for gracing the meeting and aired the willingness of the members to participate in undertakings that will fast track the development of the city as the country’s fourth metropolis.