AN INVENTORY of specific areas in Baguio City should be done to determine which areas are fit for titling purposes under the city’s comprehensive land use plan.
This was suggested by City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Reineer Balbuena in the weekly Talakayan sa Environment Code as he cited CENRO’s difficulty in obtaining certifications of legitimate titles in Baguio.
“We know for a fact that Baguio City has been identified as a town site, many here in the city either have their titles and everything while others still do not have,” Balbuena explained.
Based on the sectoral study for 2013-2023, the City Land Use Plan amended zoning ordinance entitled "Adopting the Revised Comprehensive Zoning Regulations for the City of Baguio and Providing for the Administration, Enforcement and Amendment and for the Repeal of all Ordinances in Conflict therewith” which serves as the CLUP's implementing tool approved by the City Council in 2016.
The CLUP indicates enhancement or improvement of the natural landscape and aesthetics of the area should be the primary consideration in the introduction of any land uses, structures and other developments; preservation and enhancement of natural resources (air, water, forest) to their best and sustainable uses; preservation or restoration of cultural heritage or historical or scientific sites and resources at their pristine status; decongestion of highly dense areas following standard levels.
Provision of efficient and effective circulation or access and other urban development services or facilities or utilities in all governance units in accordance to their roles and functions in the overall city development; and land uses shall conform or complement the development roles of adjacent LISTT municipalities in the province of Benguet and the region in general.
“We cannot manage anything which we cannot cope up with. We should somehow have a baseline data to reckon with. In the ongoing development in Boracay, they have already identified the carrying capacity so at certain time, it already identified the legitimate residents but how much more can be added on a daily basis? This will determine everything from commerce and a like,” Balbuena added.
Under the CLUP, land uses were designated and were zoned as residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, watersheds or forest reservation, parks and others.
The permitted uses of each zone have also been spelled out in the plan.