THE Baguio Regreening Movement (BRM) expressed its support for the planned abolition of the zoning exemption board which gave exemption to structures not observing the proper easement measures in the city.
In the weekly Talakayan sa Environment Code radio forum of the BRM, chairman Erdolfo Balajadia welcomed the earlier plan by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
“That is a good plan because in the first place, if easements are squatted upon or are obstructed because of some influences coming in, then we will have a useless law in the City of Baguio. We appreciate the city mayor for this because we know he have started something and I hope that he will continue to do it,” Balajadia said.
Magalong earlier expressed his intention of abolishing the exemption board of the city’s zoning board due to neglect.
“What we are studying now is the zoning board and because we have an existing Comprehensive Land Use Plan, there should be no exemptions, so I’m thinking of abolishing the zoning board but there are only some sensitivities especially for telecommunications companies which is highly technical and which will affect us since telecommunications is very important to us. Personally, it should be abolished so that no exemptions maybe given, we will strictly adhere to the provisions of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan,” Magalong stated.
Balajadia however cautioned the mayor in immediately implementing the abolition without seeking advice from his City Legal Office to avoid any complications.
“I would hate to see that the Mayor would be in a legal problem because he was not properly advised by those who are supposed to advise him,” Balajadia added.