Visayas State University leads new consortium

NATIONAL Government agencies forged an agreement with local government units (LGUs), civil societies and the academe to improve the quality of land administration and management among agencies in Eastern Visayas.

Visayas State University (VSU) is the lead institution in the said consortium.

VSU President Jose Bacusmo said the consortium will serve as a forum to discuss and resolve issues and problems relative to land management and administration.

The Eastern Visayas Land Administration and Management Consortium (EVLAMC) aims to develop the capacities of agencies and an affordable and cost-effective program to bring about improved governance on land administration and management.

“The group will also conduct research, training, technical assistance and advocacy activities for the promotion of sound land administration and management among LGUs, national government agencies and non-government organizations,” Bacusmo said.

Dr. Pastor Garcia, president of consortium partner, Leyte Island Trainor Pool Inc. (LITP), said various agencies require local government units (LGU) to prepare, implement and monitor land use plans for various purposes.

“LGUs find the requirement to comply and its capacity in land use management is very limited. Lack of personnel and expertise also hinder in producing sound spatial and land use plans,” Dr. Garcia said.

“Eastern Visayas has knowledge assets on land management distributed among several government agencies. There is also a shared interest to accelerate economic regional development, mitigate the effects of climate change and address the needs of rapidly growing population,” Garcia added.

The consortium is open to both public and private agencies that are willing to provide services to develop the capacities of government agencies in the region especially the LGUs to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate land-based development plans.

Initial consortium partners are LITP, local chapters of League of Municipalities of the Philippines in Leyte and Southern Leyte, and the VSU.

Palo, Leyte Mayor Remedios Petilla, president of LMP-Leyte, said the consortium will help LGUs with small budget in coming up with a comprehensive land use plan.

Petilla added the consortium will give LGUs tips and techniques in land use planning to achieve productivity, mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce and manage disaster risks and enhance competitiveness among LGUs and improve the welfare and safety of their constituents. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)