LGUs asked to prepare land use, zoning ordinances

MABALACAT -- The National Government has directed local government units to fast-track the preparation of their respective Comprehensive Land Use Plans (Clups) and Zoning Ordinances (ZOs).

Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said the government is aiming to achieve a zero backlog on Clups by 2013.

“Clups serve as guide in the rational and sustainable use of land resources. Sa pamamagitan ng Clup, magiging malinaw ang direksyon sa wastong paggamit ng mga lupain -- ito man ay mapa-agrikultura, komersiyo, pabahay at iba pa,” Binay said.

In order to achieve this, Binay said the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) has adopted the cluster approach to fast-track the preparation of Clups and ZOs of LGUs.

“The cluster approach is a strategy of providing or extending technical planning assistance to a group of local government units in the formulation or updating of their respective Clups and Zoning Ordinances,” Binay said.

“It also aims to provide an interactive environment where the LGUs can compare and share experiences and ideas on land use and development planning,” he added.

Under the cluster approach strategy, the LGUs forming the cluster will undergo four planning modules to be administered by the HLURB Regional Offices nationwide.

Priority assistance will be given to cities and municipalities without Clups and ZO, and those whose plans are due for updating.

“The approved Clups should be periodically reviewed and updated to respond to change and development trends that have implications on the land use and physical development of the city or municipality,” Binay said.

“These should also comply with national and local laws, policies, and standards, and relevant updates on planning tools, systems, and policy considerations, as well as current development trends,” he added.

The Clup is the blueprint for future physical development of cities and municipalities that is mandated under the Local Government Code (RA 7160) to be adopted and enacted by the local council through a ZO.

Out of a total of 1,635 cities and municipalities in the Philippines, there are a total of 204 LGUs without Clups and 928 LGUs with outdated Clups by 2013 or a total of 1,132 LGUs.

As of end of April 2012, there are already a total of 94 completed drafts of Clups and ZOs ready for review by the concerned Provincial Land Use Committees (PLUCs) or by the Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC).

The PLUC is the reviewing body of Clups and ZOs of component cities and municipalities while the RLUC reviews the plans of HUCs and ICCs.

Given this development and with the concerned efforts and collaboration between the HLURB and the LGUs, the HLURB’s remaining target for modular workshops for the period May to December 2012 is 792 LGUs nationwide.

The councils of Angeles City and the City of San Fernando recently approved their respective Clups.