Urban management and development

LCouncilorAST week, the Committee on Urban Planning, Lands and Housing chaired by Edgar Avila scheduled a forum on land use in the City of Baguio and the role of the Local Government Units and private institutions in urban management and development. The said activity focused on the creation of a forum wherein all concerned agencies, whether public or private, can pull in their ideas and openly express their opinions on land use and urban management and development. With the said forum, the committee was able to identify present problems and likewise foresee future dilemmas that need to be addressed by the city and the private sector. Among the issues raised mostly by the different barangays officials who attended the discussions are the problems on constricted roads, the lack of sidewalks, parking and traffic problems. They also aired sentiments for available sites for the construction of barangay halls, multi-purpose buildings and areas for satellite markets. The problem on illegal settlers was also raised because even creeks are now being occupied and illegal structures are being constructed in these areas and even on identified watersheds which bring danger to life and limb. Public lands were also being occupied and some make improvements and sell these pieces of land which were already identified as a barangay need. To address the said problems, the committee secretariat of the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Jonalyn Pagada and Protacio Tangalin Jr. consolidated all the concerns and will forward them to the concerned offices for proper action. Mayor Mauricio Domogan, who was also present during the forum on the other hand ordered the immediate action on some of the issues. Also present during