Balaba reechoes urban planning before zoning approval

DURING the first day of the public hearing on the city’s proposed Zoning Ordinance for 2023-2032, Councilor Joyleen Mercedes L. Balaba emphasized the importance of having urban planning in place before approving the zoning ordinance, after a concerned citizen raised this matter.

“I must agree nga we need the urban planning first. We have to know kung naa bay road project or construction himoon dari, naa ug asa ba ibutang ang canal, mga drainage, before nato butangan og building structures. Unahon gyud nato kung naa bay dalan diri himoon, kay isa ra man gyud na ang dalan sa Pryce Hotel. Mao ra man gyud na ang dalan panaug paingon sa downtown,” the lady councilor explained.

In response, Mr. Simeon Josafat Licayan, Project Development Officer of the City Planning and Development Officer (CPDO), affirmed that this concern has already been addressed in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). He noted that a series of discussions and consultations with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were held during its formulation. 

“Kung tan-awon nato ang infrastructure area sa atong CLUP, naka set na. Sa atong uptown (area) we already had a focused group discussion with DPWH, as part of the process in the infrastructure policy area. Naa tay proposed road diha sa kilid (road viaduct) kay dili naman ta ka expand kay pangpang naman na siya,” Licayan elaborated.

“Gikan sa NGCP passing sa Carmen area pasaka sa taas pag-abot sa SPUC, we then proposed a skyway goin to Pelaez exit and to connect also to Laguindingan road. Kaning Masterson Road, we talked with the DPWH. Naa nay expansion na tag one lane both sides, plastar na na siya. It’s just a matter of implementation. Kung makita lang ang infrastructure policy area, naa tanan didto ang plano to support the development. Dili man ta makahimo’g development without the infrastructure support. So yes, naa.” he added.