Iloilo City land use plan approved
ILOILO City – The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Thursday approved the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2021-2029 of this southern city.
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario signed the approval of the CLUP via Zoom meeting with Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The city mayor said the CLUP was a product of years of study and consultations with various sectors to ensure that the city attain sustainable development while protecting the land for level up health, safety, peace, comfort, and general welfare of the Ilonggos.
The city’s CLUP adheres to the Guidelines on CLUP and Zoning Ordinance Formulation issued by the DHSUD. This document serves as a road map of the city towards the realization of its vision and mission.
It is a guide that ascertains the effective, efficient, and productive use of the city’s scarce physical resources, and ensures that all efforts will not jeopardize the future of the Ilonggos.
I t c ontains new f eatures t hat were not present i n t he city’s previews CLUPs, such as the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and disaster r i s k reduc t i on; adoption of the integrated watershed ecosystems management framework, including the Citizen Report Card; and integrating thematic concerns such as biodiversity, cultural heritage, urban design and green growth, among others.
CLUP aims for a well-developed city to attract investors and rebuild the economy from the adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Jose Roni Peñalosa, head of the City Planning and Development
Office, previously said that for the business sector, the value of CLUP is more on spatial information. Zoning ensures the optimal use of land.
CLUP acts as a guide for investors in the selection of their project sites. Location is very critical in business operations.
“We want to be livable, sustainable and resilient,” said Peñalosa.
Among others, the city CLUP vitalizes public spaces of all sizes including the city’s seven districts. However, the emphasis is on making the space accessible, available, and engaging to everyone. Use of open spaces is encouraged by installing areas for exercise, civic events, or cultural performances.
The CLUP high l i ghts t he opportunity to create public spaces around many of the new growth centers and along the Iloilo River and Dungon Creek.
It is in this light that the Iloilo
River Esplanade network is to be extended further towards Arevalo District with the proposed Iloilo Sunset Boulevard (formerly referred to as the North Iloilo Riverbank Road Project) by the DPWH.
I t also f osters i nvestment partnerships with the private sector and optimizes on multi-stakeholder work collaboration with business, academe, religious community, POs, NGOs, and other private sector organizations.
It optimizes the city’s aggressive investors and knowledgeable and skilled citizens who can deliver successful urban regeneration, and work collaboration towards the attainment of the city vision. City leaders play an active role i n encouraging t hese work partnerships, and the needs and views of the end user is considered throughout the urban development process./